One of Kenya’s most prominent alcohol manufacturers, Keroche Breweries Limited, is facing a liquidation petition filed in the High Court of Kenya at Nakuru, raising fresh uncertainty over the future of the homegrown beer and spirits company.
According to a legal notice issued by Achach & Associates Advocates LLP, a petition for the liquidation of Keroche was lodged on 23 May 2025 by Sam Kruschev Shollel. The case, registered as Insolvency Cause No. HCCOMMIN/E003/2025, is set to be heard before the High Court in Nakuru.
The petition calls for the company to be wound up under the provisions of Kenya’s Insolvency Act (No. 18 of 2015) and the Companies Act (No. 17 of 2015). Creditors and contributories of the company have been invited to appear in court to either support or oppose the order, with copies of the petition available upon request from the petitioner’s advocates.
Keroche Breweries, founded in 1997 by Tabitha Karanja, rose to prominence as the first major Kenyan-owned beer manufacturer, challenging multinational dominance in the sector. Known for popular brands such as Summit Lager, Summit Malt, and Crescent Vodka, the company has long been seen as a symbol of entrepreneurial resilience.
But the firm has endured a turbulent financial history. In recent years, Keroche has faced multiple disputes with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) over unpaid taxes, leading to periodic shutdowns of its Naivasha plant. In 2022, operations were halted for several months after KRA accused the company of failing to remit excise duty worth hundreds of millions of shillings.
Although temporary agreements allowed production to resume, financial instability continued to weigh heavily on the brewer. The new liquidation petition signals a deepening crisis that could ultimately determine whether the company survives in its current form.
Liquidation is a legal process that occurs when a company cannot meet its debt obligations. If granted, the court may appoint a liquidator to sell off the company’s assets and distribute proceeds among creditors. For Keroche, this could mean the closure of one of Kenya’s most celebrated indigenous beverage producers.
The petition also opens the door for creditors to present claims. According to the notice, any creditor or shareholder wishing to participate in the case must appear in person or through legal counsel during the hearing.
Industry analysts say the case could have wider implications for Kenya’s alcoholic beverages market, which has been dominated by East African Breweries Limited (EABL), a subsidiary of Diageo. “Keroche’s struggles highlight the difficulty of competing with established multinationals in a highly regulated environment,” said one Nairobi-based economist.
The company employs hundreds of workers at its Naivasha plant, and the prospect of liquidation raises concerns about job losses in a region heavily reliant on agribusiness. Farmers who supply barley, sorghum, and other raw materials could also be affected if operations come to a halt.
Consumers may face reduced variety in the market, with Keroche’s products having carved out a loyal base over the years as an affordable alternative to EABL’s flagship beers.
Legal experts caution that while liquidation petitions are serious, they do not always result in closure. Companies sometimes reach settlements with creditors before proceedings conclude, allowing them to restructure debt and resume operations.
The outcome of this case is likely to resonate far beyond Keroche itself. For many Kenyans, the company embodies the struggle of local enterprises to thrive against the backdrop of high taxation, regulatory hurdles, and stiff competition from global brands.
If the High Court orders liquidation, it would mark the end of nearly three decades of operations for a company once hailed as a pioneer of homegrown manufacturing. But if Keroche manages to secure a lifeline, it may yet stage another comeback.
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