Following the Government announcement of a twenty-five(25) point enforcement programme for suppression of the manufacture, sale, distribution and consumption of illicit alcohol, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in the Country on March 6, 2024, measures were taken, including the immediate suspension of all licences, permits and authorizations for the manufacture and distillery of second-generation alcohol, and a further directive that fresh vetting be undertaken within twenty-one (21) days to ensure compliance of establishments with security, safety, health, labour, environmental and other standards as defined in relevant National laws.
All the twenty-nine (29) active manufacturers and distillers of second-generation alcohol were vetted by a Multi-Agency team whose membership comprised; National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS); Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS), Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA), Public Health Department, National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and the Department of Weights and Measures.
Two (2) entities; Kenya Nut Company Limited and UDV have been found to be fully compliant by all the agencies and consequently allowed to resume production forthwith.
Three (3) entities; Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL), Savanna Brands Company Limited, and Patiala Distillers Kenya Limited were found to be compliant and may resume production forthwith subject to meeting the specified conditions:
Licences, permits and authorizations for the following twenty-four (24) entities remain suspended upto and until all the compliance issues are satisfactorily addressed within twenty-one (21) days effective Monday, April 8, 2024 failure to which the licences, permits and authorizations shall stand revoked:
1) Two Cousins Distillers Limited
2) Corobus Africa Products Limited
3) Lyniber Supplies Limited
4) Elle Kenya Limited
5) Zheng Hong (K) Limited
6) Rift Valley Brewing Company – Thika
7) FRM EA Packers Limited
8) Manchester Distillers Limited
9) Kedsta Investment Limited
10) Julijo Investment Limited
11) Platinum Distillers Limited
12) London Distillers Kenya Limited
13) Agro Chemicals and Food Processing Company
14) Crywan Enterprises
15) Lumat Company Limited
16) Fastlane Wines and Spirits
17) Algarve Distillers Limited
18) Viva Bedida
19) Metro Breweries
20) Sabibu Beverages Africa Limited
21) Lodiani Water Spring
22) Africa Spirit Limited
23) Keroche Breweries Limited; and
24) Mamboleo Distillers.
According to Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki, the specific areas of non-compliance and the twenty-one (21) day notice to comply will be relayed to each of the affected entities on Monday, April 8, 2024 through the Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, with copies to all relevant Government Agencies for supervision of this directive.
“The Government appreciates and thanks all agencies, public officers and manufacturers and distillers of second-generation alcohol for their cooperation throughout the vetting exercise,” he stated.
Author: Pristone Mambili
A trained Journalist with passion for Radio and online Writing.