East African Breweries Limited (EABL) has dismissed a court application filed by Bia Tosha, describing it as baseless and unrelated to the recently announced Diageo–Asahi transaction.
In a statement issued in Nairobi on Tuesday, EABL said the matter before the courts stems from a long-running dispute between Bia Tosha and Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) over distribution territories in Kenya. The company emphasised that the case has “absolutely no factual or legal linkage” to the Diageo–Asahi deal.
According to EABL, the court application is part of what it termed an unsuccessful 10-year campaign by a former employee and distributor to destabilise its operations. The company described the applicant as a “serial litigant” and maintained that all claims raised in the matter are devoid of truth.
EABL further clarified that despite the change in its majority shareholding following the Diageo–Asahi transaction, both EABL and its subsidiary KBL remain independent and financially capable entities. The group said it continues to operate normally and is fully able to defend itself in any legal proceedings.
“Any insinuation to the contrary is false and inimical to the interests of Kenya as a nation that attracts high-quality foreign investment,” the company said, warning against narratives that could undermine investor confidence.
EABL is a leading regional player in the alcoholic beverages sector, with operations primarily in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Its products are sold in more than 10 countries across Africa and beyond.
The company’s portfolio includes well-known local and international brands such as Tusker, Guinness, Bell Lager, Serengeti Lager, Kenya Cane, Chrome Vodka, Johnnie Walker, Captain Morgan and Smirnoff.
The group said its ambition is to remain one of Africa’s best-performing and most trusted consumer products companies, while promoting the responsible consumption of alcohol as part of a balanced lifestyle.
