By Antony Gitonga
|
|
Armed police accompanied by public health officers raided a beer factory in Naivasha and closed it down saying it was operating illegally.
The officers confiscated various beer and spirits brands that included Solar Ice, African cane, African Gin and African Brew and equipment belonging to the African Brewing Company claiming they were unfit for human consumption.
Senior staff and several junior workers were arrested as it emerged that the company located in Naivasha town was using competitors’ packaging materials to sell their products.
While closing down the factory, Naivasha district public health
Officer Mr. Samuel King'ori said the facility was operating without a license.
King'ori said they had taken some samples to the government laboratories for testing as he expressed his concern over the quality of the products.
"The workers do not have medical certificates, the beer was packaged in unhygienic manner and the source of the brewing material is questionable," he said.
King'ori added that the factory did not have a NEMA certificate adding that it would remain closed as he warned those brewing without licenses that their days were numbered.
Naivasha OCS John Owouth who led the operation said the raid was conducted following a tip off from members of the public.
He termed the products and packaging as below standards adding that investigations were on to determine the owners of the factory.
"All those arrested will be arraigned in court and we warn want to warn members of the public to be wary of such products,” he said.
A senior manager in the company Gikuha Kaiganaine defended the products saying that they had applied to the Kenya Bureau of Standards for a certificate.
“We have just started our production as we wait for the certificate and we are shocked by the move to close down the factory,” said the manager.
