Keroche Breweries Stares at Liquidation as Former MD Moves to Court Over Unpaid Compensation

Keroche Breweries Limited is staring at yet another major hurdle after its former Managing Director, Sam Kruschev Shollei, moved to court seeking to have the company liquidated over an unsettled judgment debt. Keroche Breweries risks liquidation as ex-MD Sam Shollei moves to court over unpaid Ksh 75M from a 2022 compensation ruling.

Through a notice dated August 21 and filed by Achach & Associates Advocates LLP, creditors and contributors were notified of the petition and invited to support or oppose it when it comes up for hearing before the High Court in Nakuru. “Take notice that a petition for the liquidation of the above-mentioned company was on May 23, 2025, presented before the High Court at Nakuru by Sam Kruschev Shollei, and the same has been fixed for hearing,” the notice partly reads. The petition stems from a long-standing labour dispute. View document In 2022, the Employment and Labour Relations Court awarded Shollei more than Ksh 52 million as compensation for wrongful and unfair dismissal. Although a partial settlement was made, a balance of about Ksh 45.5 million remains unpaid.

Court filings indicate that accrued interest and legal costs have pushed the claim to nearly Ksh 75 million. Shollei argues that Keroche has failed to act on repeated demands to settle the outstanding amount, prompting him to seek liquidation.

The case adds to the growing problems confronting the Naivasha-based brewer, which has for years been locked in costly legal battles with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and has endured persistent cash-flow difficulties affecting its operations.

Founded in 1997 by Tabitha and Joseph Karanja, Keroche grew into a formidable challenger to multinational brewers with a portfolio ranging from beer to spirits and ready-to-drink vodkas.

Now, with financial strain mounting and a winding-up petition on the table, the squeeze on one of Kenya’s most visible homegrown brewers appears to be tightening.