Editor's Review

The Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) has kicked off production at its new Kshs 1.2 billion microbrewery in Ruaraka. 

The Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) has kicked off production at its new Kshs 1.2 billion microbrewery in Ruaraka, Nairobi County.  

In a statement to newsrooms on Thursday, November 30, the new microbrewery is aimed at helping the business to extend its innovation capability, to meet consumers’ changing tastes and preferences. 

The company, while unveiling the new microbrewery, rolled out its first commercial product brand from the site whose ground was broken in May last year.

The first brand of the new production line, Manyatta, is a new 100 percent apple cider, produced alongside three flavoured variants: Mango & Ginger; Lemon & Ginger; and Pineapple & Mint. 

Addressing the press, EABL Group Chief Executive and Managing Director Jane Karuku noted that the company was moving at pace with the latest trends, creating products, tastes, and experiences for people to enjoy as part of celebrations. 

(Left to right) EABL Group CEO Jane Karuku, KBL Operations Director Rosemary Mwaniki, and KBL MD Mark Ocitti at the launch of Manyatta, the first brand produced at the company’s new microbrewery at Ruaraka.

"While we reflect and honour the past, we are passionate about nurturing categories old and new, and about building authentically crafted, culturally relevant brands. We move at pace with the latest trends, creating products, tastes and experiences for people to enjoy as part of celebrations big or small. This requires focus, precision and investment, in what we call a perfect blend of creativity with precision," remarked Karuku. 

Karuku disclosed that the company upheld sustainability through the use of old worn Tusker glass in the finishings and ensuring that all the site waste will be recyclable.  

"We can recover 30 percent of the water used in the process – which underpins our deliberate efforts to be sustainable by design. I’m incredibly proud to see our Kenya business unveil this new investment," she stated. 

The new cider will soon be rolled out in the Kenyan market.