EABL Receives A Major Blow Over Collection Of Branded Beer Bottles

The East African Breweries Limited (EABL) has received a blow in its move to own and collect all brown bottles that carry the initials EABL on them as the war between the giant brewer and Keroche Breweries rages on.

The two brewers; East African Breweries Limited (EABL) and Keroche Breweries went after each other’s throats following the move by EABL to mop out all brown bottles, similar to what Keroche was using.

The battle landed in court and the court ruled in favor of EABL, officially giving them the mandate to own the bottles, meaning anyone who was found with the bottles carrying a different brand was to be arrested and arraigned in court.

According to Keroche, EABL is using the bottle war to dominate the market and face Keroche out of the business for fear of the stiff competition between the two major players on the Kenyan market.

On January 15, 2020, a High Court, sitting in Kajiado ignited the war once again when it granted immunity to a bar owner from Kajiado against being prosecuted after being found with bottles bearing EABL initials.

According to the judgment, the police are now prohibited from arresting the bar owner or presenting her before a court of law over the issue of being in possession of EBL bottles.

The lady, Agneta Loise Munzi had petitioned the High Court to stop her prosecution on the charge of using EABL engraved Euro bottles at her Arusha Bar and Plan B Bar in Ilbissil town within Kajiado County after she was arrested on December 27, 2019.

“A conservatory order be and is hereby issued prohibiting the prosecution of the petitioner in relation to the possession of the 500ml Euro bottle design bottles seized by the police at the applicant’s bar on December 27, 2019, pending further orders on February 2, 2020,” stated the court ruling.

The ruling by the court gives a breathing space to bar owners who were living in fear of being arrested or forced to bribe the police in order for them to be allowed to conduct their business.

EABL has received opposition from the Bar Owners Association who on January 8, issued a 41-day ultimatum to the two players to sort out their issues or face a boycott from the more than 52,000 of its members.

READ: EABL And Keroche Go At Each Other’s Throat Over Bottles

“Our members are really suffering, where some have been arrested and charged with selling counterfeit products. We as bar owners have resolved to call for a consumer boycott against a manufacturer who wants to cause confusion in the market,” said the association.

Here is the directive from the court: