By Morris Aron
Local beer manufacturer, Keroche Industries Limited launched a malt brand dubbed Summit Malt, even as the firm called on regulators to rein in unfair trading practices.
Managing Director Tabitha Karanja called on authorities to come up with tougher penalties to tame the vice, saying that big companies were using the loophole to counter competition.
"Monopoly anywhere is bad and if you do not have the support of local institutions, it can especially be very bad for upcoming businesses," said Ms Karanja.
Accused rivals
Keroche has accused its rivals of trickery to block its products from reaching retail outlets.
Recently, she claimed that unidentified people destroyed billboards belonging to Keroche worth millions of shillings along the Nairobi-Naivasha highway.
She reckons that under the current laws, a company found to be using unfair means against competition is only fined Sh100,000.
"In developed economies, such malpractices carry a price tag worth 10 per cent of the total revenue earned for a year."
The launch of Summit Malt adds to the companyâs flagship product, Summit Lager and is targeted at the middle-income group.
Summit Lager, was launched in October last year, marking a new beginning for the brewer.
The new venture is expected to increase the new machineâs utility value. The firmâs new plant has capacity to produce up to 6000 half-litre bottles every hour.
