The fight between EABL and Keroche Brewers Keroche over the engraving of the commonly used 500ml Euro bottles has put the two brewers at loggerhead for a while now. Of the recent development was when Keroche filed a petition against EABL over the bottles noting that the giant brewer was dragging local bar owners into the mud.
Among them was Agneta Loise Munzi who had petitioned the High Court to stop her prosecution on the charge of using EABL engraved Euro bottles at her Arusha Bar and Plan B Bar in Ilbissil town within Kajiado County, after the after police raided her bar on December 27, 2019, and seized the bottles.
Her petition claimed that the marking of the bottles by EABL was employed to discourage bar owners from stocking competitors’ products, arguing that the engraving of the 500ml universal bottle had created an environment conducive for corruption and bribery and was disruptive of the business environment.
The use of police officers in the aid of unfair trade practices taints the motive for prosecution or application of the penal system where it is intended to tilt the scales in legitimate business competition. #LoisMunziVsEABL https://t.co/zgoiFFoORb
— Contro (@ASimbiS_KE) January 16, 2020
On Wednesday, January 15, the court issued an order prohibiting the police or any other person from arraigning, charging or prosecuting her over the bottles. This order saw netizens on twitter call out the giant brewer for unfairly trying to muscle out other competitors in a free market economy.
Using the hashtag #LoisMunziVsEABL on Thursday, January 16, KOT urged the brewer to stop frustrating small traders in its quest to extend its market share.
1.EABL is a big fish that should be caught
Like other arrogant and fraudulent corporates before, who are now in the corporate graves, EABL must not think they are an exemption. Ms. Munzi has just kicked off their journey there. @Diageo_News @EABL_PLC Kenya has adopted evil means killing their competitors #LoisMunziVsEABL pic.twitter.com/nhz9xZa2IV
— General Kipkazi🌷 (@EdwinSigey_) January 16, 2020
2. She conducted her business well
The plaintiff has observed that in the recent past there has been consternation and disorder in the market involving the use and re-use of bottles. #LoisMunziVsEABL https://t.co/pBwdS7cGSa
— Spice Girl 💦 (@cookie_nefrah) January 16, 2020
3. Double standards
Article 27 of the Constitution of Kenya provides that every person is equal before the law and guarantees the right to equal protection and benefit of the law to every person. #LoisMunziVsEABL pic.twitter.com/WZIdclxSFB
— TMC Deutschland (@TMCDeutschland) January 16, 2020
4. Justice must be served
Intimidating and arresting innocent bar owners who are just eking out a living may just lead to this.. Where do you expect them to go to? #LoisMunziVsEABL pic.twitter.com/wg56sQYFsI
— @Madame Elcommandant (@Commandant2nd) January 16, 2020
5. Small businesses frustration
Before Lois slayed the dragon in court, this is how frustrated small scale traders planned to resist corporate thuggery and intimidation #LoisMunziVsEABL pic.twitter.com/MOPyBvA11K
— STARVING CENTRAL KENYA #REJECTBBI (@UgimaKenya) January 16, 2020
