Kenya: Bad news for Brown Oak Brewers

The High Court in Kerugoya has declined to restrain the Kirinyaga County Government, the Attorney General, the Inspector General and Gichugu MP Njogu Barua from interfering with the manufacture, distribution and sale of a second-generation liquor.

In a plaint filed by the proprietor of Wimtore, the manufacturer of Brown Oak Opaque beer, Justice Robert Limo while agreeing the matter was urgent, declined to issue restraining orders and instead directed that the matter to be heard on Thursday next week.

Gichugu MP Njogu Barua (left) charting with some lawyers inside the Kerugoya High Courroom duing a break yesterday when he appeared in a civil suit filed by a second generation liqour manufacturer whose business premises is among the nine such others that have been closed following a public outcry. The MP is named in the suit as the 4th respondent. (PHOTO:MUNENE KAMAU/STANDARD)

"Since the lawyer for the county government Ms Wanjiru Wambugu was only given the orders to represent the entity this morning (yesterday) and she is yet to study and respond to the affidavit filed by the applicant, it is only fair justice be seen to be done on both ways,'' Limo said.

Barua, who has been named as the fourth respondent in the civil suit, also told the court that he required time to look for legal representation.

The lawyer for the Attorney General and the Inspector General Francis Makoli also said he needed time to look into the plaint and reply appropriately.

Wimtore's lawyer Magee wa Magee had sought orders barring the respondents or their agents from harassing anyone distributing, purchasing or consuming his client's liquor product within the premises, located in Kutus town along the Kutus-Embu road until the hearing and determination of the matter.