Keroche boss, MP clash over liquor tests

An eight-hour standoff ensued between management of Naivasha-based Keroche Breweries and local MP John Kihagi yesterday after he insisted on an analysis of some of the firm’s products.

The MP insisted that the drinks undergoing analysis in warehouse be taken to the police station.

Chief executive Tabitha Karanja would hear none of it and accused the MP of “politicising the war on illicit brews.”

Tempers flared, with Mrs Karanja at one time being walked away by Regional Commissioner Osman Warfa to calm down.

The MP and CEO appeared to have exchanged bitter words before the regional commissioner intervened.

“We lost business despite our willingness to cooperate with the fight against illegal brews,” said Mrs Karanja.

“It is a vendetta and we will not take it lying down,” she declared.

But Mr Kihagi insisted he wanted to ensure that the drinks were kept “in a safe place” before being vetted.

“We are carrying out a directive and must ensure all those involved in the alcohol business meet required standards,” said the Naivasha MP.

“I will only leave after the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) has sealed and secured the warehouse.”

Mr Kihagi accused Kebs officials present of being ill prepared to carry out their job as they had not brought seals and padlocks with them.

Kebs South Rift Regional Manager John Wepukhulu, however, said only four brands would be analysed before the company was allowed to resume production.

“We have disabled the production line and have put in place the necessary measures as per our regulations,” he told journalists.

The MP, however, refused to leave the factory, insisting the warehouse must be locked up.

After more than six hours, Mrs Karanja lost her temper and ordered everyone to leave, urging the cheering workers to resume work.

“Everything we are doing here is above board and we have time and again said we are open to scrutiny. We have, in the past, undergone impromptu audits without the drama we are witnessing today,” she said.

Mr Kihagi later left and briefly talked to his supporters outside the heavily guarded gate.

Meanwhile, manufacturers yesterday got a reprieve after challenging regulations that prohibit production of illicit alcoholic beverages.

Kenya Breweries Limited and UDV Kenya sued Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet and Kebs over the rules.

According to the two firms, the regulations are ambiguous as they do not define target products and what constitutes “second as well as third generation” alcoholic drinks.

Mr Kamau Karori, for the firms, said the regulations had resulted in licensed brands being unlawfully impounded and destroyed.

High Court Judge George Odunga ordered a stop to the destruction of licensed alcoholic brands. He also ordered that KBL and UDV, their manufacturers, distributors as well as sellers be accorded protection.

The judge also ordered Kebs to publish a list of licensed brands and to give case documents to the sued parties for a hearing on July 21.