Keroche Breweries Limited is once again staring at a fresh crisis after its former Managing Director, Sam Kruschev Shollei, filed a petition in court seeking to have the company liquidated over an unsettled judgment debt.
A notice dated August 21 and lodged by Achach & Associates Advocates LLP informs creditors and contributors of the petition and invites them to either support or oppose it during a scheduled hearing at the High Court in Nakuru.
“Take notice that a petition for the liquidation of the above-mentioned company was on May 23, 2025, presented before the High Court at Nakuru by Sam Kruschev Shollei, and the same has been fixed for hearing,” the notice states in part.
The dispute stems from a long-running labour case. In 2022, the Employment and Labour Relations Court awarded Shollei over Sh52 million as compensation for wrongful and unfair dismissal. While a portion of the award was settled, approximately Sh45.5 million remains unpaid.
According to court records, accrued interest and legal costs have since pushed the claim to nearly Sh75 million. Shollei contends that despite repeated demands, Keroche has failed to clear the outstanding debt, leaving liquidation as the only viable recourse.
The petition piles further pressure on the Naivasha-based brewer, which has for years grappled with tax disputes with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and persistent cash-flow challenges that continue to strain its operations.
Founded in 1997 by Tabitha and Joseph Karanja, Keroche Breweries rose to prominence as Kenya’s most successful homegrown alternative to multinational beer giants, with a diverse portfolio spanning beers, spirits, and ready-to-drink vodkas. However, its continued financial struggles—and now the looming liquidation bid—pose an existential threat to the future of the iconic Kenyan brewer.
