Patiala Distillers K Limited, has declared its intention to pursue legal recourse against Mathira Member of Parliament (MP) Eric Wamumbi and Senator Wahome Wamatinga who led residents in destroying alcoholic drinks suspected to be illegal.
Through lawyer Danstan Omari, Patiala affirmed that its products are not fake as alleged by the politicians and that the company will proceed to sue the two leaders for defamation.
“We shall be suing for defamation the two legislators who have injured our brand. We recorded a complaint for malicious damage to property,” declared Omari.
The two politicians alongside a group of locals stormed the Mathira East Deputy County Commissioner’s office and destroyed crates of alcoholic beverages in line with campaign against subs-standard alcohol launched by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Amidst the resulting controversy, the leading producer of Fly Horse Gin and Diamond Ice alcoholic beverages revealed that they had previously distributed 400 crates of ‘Diamond Ice’ and 1,000 cartons of ‘Fly Horse’ alcohol brands to a licensed distributor in the region on February 20.
Mathira Politicians Destroy ksh6M Alcohol
However, the following day, Deputy County Commissioner confiscated the alcohol, noting that it was unfit for human consumption.
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In a letter addressed to IPOA, the company says that the events that happened on February 21, 2024, were lawless and unwarranted.
“We wish to point out that our client’s unfortunate encounters with law enforcements have come as a surprise since there has been no turbulent history between my client and law enforcement,” said Omari in the letter.
However, the Kenya Bureau of Standard (KEBS) revealed that it had been receiving complaints and further directed the company to suspend manufacturing of three of its products.
In its response, the company asserted that its products are manufactured within the required strict standards.
MP Under Police Protection During the Destruction
Additionally, the distiller told IPOA that MP Wamumbi and Senator Wamatinga were supervised and protected by police officers as they later led the destruction of the property on February 21.
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“It is equally evident that the Mathira lawmaker, Hon Eric Wamumbi and the Nyeri Senator Hon. Wahome Wamatinga exploited law enforcement officers to destroy property in lawful custody, against our client’s interests, actions which have instilled immense fear for loss to our client and the many Kenyans who depend on the company as a source of livelihood,” the distiller added.
The group responsible for the destruction raised apprehensions regarding the safety of the beverages, fearing they might be unfit for consumption and re-enter the market.
