This archive report was first published on 3 January 2020.
East African Breweries Limited (EABL) has won the first round in a court battle with six distributors affiliated with Keroche Breweries over beer bottles. The High Court, on January 3, 2020, allowed EABL to collect its branded beer bottles from the market, pending the determination of the case.
Justice Grace Nzioka directed that EABL collects only its embossed bottles and restricted the two firms from placing any advertisements on the matter, pending her ruling.
The distributors, who supply beer for other manufacturers besides Keroche, accuse EABL of working to drive them out of business by embossing beer bottles with unique initials to prevent rivals from using them.
However, EABL argued that the distributors had no authority to file the petition because they have no direct business connection between them and EABL to warrant the issuance of the orders sought.
The case will be heard again on January 24, 2020, when Justice Nzioka will rule on whether to strike out the case or issue interim orders stopping EABL from collecting the bottles.
