The government has given a green light to two second-generation alcohol manufacturers and distillers to resume production after meeting vetting requirements.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said Friday UDV and Kenya Nut Company are free to resume their operations immediately.
The announcement came after the completion of the inspection of 29 active manufacturers and distillers directed by the government as part of measures to combat illicit alcohol and drug abuse announced on March 6.
Kindiki stated that the government had upheld the suspension of 24 manufacturers and distillers over non-compliance following fresh vetting.
The Interior CS said that the licenses of the 24 will remain suspended until all the compliance issues are satisfactorily addressed within 21 days effective Monday, April 8, 2024.
Entities affected include; Keroche Breweries Limited, Two Cousins Distillers Limited, Corobus Africa Products Limited, Lyniber Supplies Limited, Elle Kenya Limited, Zheng Hong (K) Limited, Rift Valley Brewing Company – Thika, Africa Spirit Limited, and Manchester Distillers Limited.
Three companies were partially compliant, Kindiki saying they will resume production once they confirm adherence to the verification and approval of the model of the transmitter for offloading and dispatch flowmeters.
A multi-agency including National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS), Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA), Public Health Department, National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and the Department of Weights and Measures conducted the vetting exercise.
Kindiki lauded the agencies, public officers and manufacturers and distillers of second-generation alcohol for their cooperation throughout the vetting exercise.