KWAL breaks ground on Sh4Billion facility at Tatu City

By Isaac Oganga

Kenya Wine Agencies Ltd (KWAL) last week broke ground for its Sh 4 Billion ultra-modern manufacturing facility. The event took place at the facility’s proposed site in Tatu City Industrial Park Ruiru.

The high-profile event was attended by the Chief Administrative Secretary, Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development Lawrence Karanja, Kiambu County Governor Hon. James Nyoro, KWAL Board Chairperson Kuria Muchiru, KWAL Managing Director Lina Githuka.

The new facility will enhance KWAL’s local value creation and make a significant contribution to the company’s long-term growth strategy.

Kuria Muchiru, KWAL Board Chairperson stated during the event, ‘‘The aspirations of Kenya’s Big 4 Agenda and Vision 2030’s economic pillar to boost local production, expand to the regional market and take advantage of global market niches has been the guide for our operations and expansion for KWAL.

Our new plant is expected to greatly enhance production capacity, as well as our competitiveness within the East African region.’’

The investment will mark the first production facility opened by KWAL in more than two decades. KWAL Managing Director, Lina Githuka added, ‘‘The new facility will host a state-of-the-art factory with enhanced capacity to produce aspirational brands to meet ever evolving consumer tastes; a world class customer distribution center as well as offices that will provide employees with a superb working environment.

The KWAL Tatu City facility will be an eco-friendly space having leveraged on go-green construction and systems to promote recycling and re-use to enhance responsible production and consumption within the facility.’’

Richard Rushton, Distell Group Managing Director, said “Distell is appreciative of the support received from the Kenyan government and KWAL partners, and Distell was excited about this greenfield investment; a reflection of Distell’s confidence in the KWAL business as well in the future of Kenya.”

The company celebrates its industry position in Kenya as a respected beverage giant, in wine, spirits, ciders and natural juices. Majority of KWAL’s brands including Caprice Wine, Kibao Vodka, Viceroy Brandy, Amarula, Cellar Cask wine, Kingfisher, Altar wine and Yatta Juice are renowned brands in the Kenyan market.