State stopped from raiding top brewer

The High Court has barred the Government from confiscating alcohol drinks manufactured by London Distillers Limited.

Justice George Odunga ruled that the Government should also temporarily provide security to the company that manufactures, distributes and sells the drinks; as the crackdown on illicit brew continues countrywide. The operation has led to massive destruction and looting of property.

He also ordered for the brewery's protection until peace and tranquility is restored in the industry.

London Distillers had been enjoined as an interested party in suing the Government over the destruction of their products. None of the company's products had been declared illegal or having not met quality standards.

Kenya Breweries and UDV Kenya Limited had filed the case against Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaiserry, the Inspector General Joseph Boinett and the Kenya Bureau of Standards over a Sh12.3 million products loss.

Some manufacturers including Keroche Breweries accused some MPs of acting out of malice rather than the public good. The Government has since condemned and warned against burning of property in the process of destroying illicit alcohol.