Keroche Breweries Limited is a fully locally owned Kenyan brewery controlled by the Karanja family. The company is headquartered in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
The company was founded in 1997 and initially produced small-scale fortified wine. It was incorporated as a brewery in 2008. The company is described as Kenya’s first large-scale brewery not owned by a multinational.
It is also the country’s second-largest beer producer by volume, after East African Breweries Limited (EABL), according to the information provided.
Keroche operates a modern brewery in Naivasha with an annual beer production capacity estimated at about 100–110 million liters, or roughly one million hectolitres.
The brewery also has a 600,000-bottles-per-day bottling line, installed as part of a Sh5.5 billion expansion commissioned in 2015. The Naivasha plant produces multiple beverage categories, including beer, ready-to-drink spirits and wines, with facilities designed to support future expansion.
In 2015, Keroche was named Best Company at the Transformational Business Awards by the African Leadership Network (ALN) in Morocco, recognizing its growth and impact as an indigenous manufacturer.
Founders and Current Leadership
Tabitha Mukami Muigai Karanja is the co-founder and CEO of Keroche Breweries and has served as the company’s public face. She started the business in 1997 at the age of 32, initially producing fortified wine on the family farm in Naivasha before expanding into spirits and beer.
Tabitha Karanja also serves as the Senator for Nakuru County, a position she has held since her election in 2022.
Joseph Muigai Karanja is the co-founder and chairman of Keroche Breweries. He provides strategic oversight and represents the family’s interests on the company’s board.
The Karanja family are the majority shareholders in Keroche and hold key leadership positions within the company.
Keroche is described as Kenya’s first large, locally owned brewery and a major indigenous challenger to East African Breweries Limited (EABL).
Keroche Breweries Product Portfolio
Keroche Breweries produces several categories of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages under different brands.
Also Read: Who Is Clara Luvanga? The 21-Year-Old Behind Women’s Football’s Biggest Deal
Its beer portfolio includes Summit Lager, Kenya’s first sugar-free beer, launched in 2008, and Summit Malt, a non-alcoholic malt beverage.
The company also produces ready-to-drink products under the Viena Ice brand, which comes in different flavors, including Lemon Twist. Viena Ice Strong Lager, a 10% ABV strong beer/RTD, was launched in 2021.
Under the Crescent brand, Keroche produces spirits including vodka, brandy, whisky and dry gin.
Its wine portfolio includes the Valley Wine range, with varieties such as Pinotage, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc.
The company also produces Keroche Water and other non-alcoholic beverages.
Current Status of Keroche Breweries
Keroche Breweries Limited remains operational as of 2026, with its Naivasha plant having resumed production after previous closures linked to tax disputes with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). The company continues to market brands including Summit Lager, Viena Ice and Crescent spirits.
Also Read: Profile of Tabitha Karanja, Pioneer of Kenya’s First Local Brewery
The brewery, however, faces significant legal and financial challenges. Former managing director Sam Shollei filed a liquidation petition over unpaid compensation exceeding KSh75 million.
In September 2025, the High Court granted Keroche a stay of the liquidation proceedings, preventing Shollei from publishing or advertising the petition as the case was being heard. Related insolvency proceedings continued into 2026.
Keroche has also faced claims from former employees. In July 2026, reports indicated that some company assets could be auctioned over more than KSh22 million owed to 16 former employees following unlawful dismissal claims.
The company has previously laid off workers during periods when its operations were disrupted, including KRA closures in 2022, and later recalled staff when production resumed.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
