MANYATTA CIDER CELEBRATES AFRICAN-NESS IN AN UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT IN PARTNERHSIP WITH VIJANA BARUBARU

Kenya Breweries Limited, through its new cider brand-Manyatta, hosted consumers and fans to a colourful and collaborative event with Vijana BaruBaru. Dubbed “Passionate Pages flavoured by Manyatta” the event came to life at the New Muthaiga Mall, Thigiri Ridge, where the venue was transformed into a haven of authentic African vibes, elite consumer experiences, live music, and games this past weekend. The event introduced music lovers to the highly anticipated Passionate Pages EP launch and brought to life the Manyatta brand.

Manyatta is a Cider that is driven by the desire to appreciate and promote African culture, following its vision of being true of our roots in a modern way. It comes in four flavors that are expressions of the Tastes of Africa: Manyatta Cider, Lemon and Ginger Cider, Mango and Ginger Cider, and Pineapple and Mint Cider. Manyatta is more than a drink, it is a curator of African Tastes: Fashion, Food and Vibes.

“As a brand, Manyatta’s ideology is that our African culture needs to be brought back to life and celebrated. We believe that taking time to appreciate our uniqueness through music, food and culture is a welcome reprieve from the dynamics of everyday life. Passionate pages is just the first of many celebrations of African-ness that will be flavored by Manyatta, as we strive to be the curator of African tastes. said Faith Nyambura, Marketing & Innovations, Manager, EABL.

“We promise to develop more opportunities for our African-ness to be showcased and appreciated, deliver the taste of home in every drop of Manyatta Cider and to stay true to our brand vibrancy that is uniquely ours.” She added.

Speaking during the launch event, Vijana barubaru expressed their excitement and appreciation for the support from EABL on the launch of their EP.

“Collaborating with Manyatta for the Passionate Pages launch event was a true honor for us. It is inspiring to see a brand dedicated to celebrating African culture in such a vibrant and authentic way. This partnership allowed us to showcase our artistry alongside Manyatta’s commitment to African-ness, and we look forward to more opportunities to collaborate and uplift our shared heritage.”

The event also featured electrifying performances by renowned artists such as DJ Candy, Ethan Muziki, Ayrosh, Karisma, DJ Kaneda, Ndovu Kuu, Ihaji, Hart The Band and DJ Suraj, whose talents added to the immersive experience of the evening. Their unique styles and passionate performances resonated with the audience, further highlighting the rich diversity of African music and creativity.

Through collaborations like these, Manyatta and Vijana BaruBaru aim to continue providing platforms for African artists to shine while celebrating the essence of African culture in all its forms.

The success of the Passionate pages flavored by Manyatta marks a new chapter in Kenya Breweries Limited’s dedication to celebrating African culture, appreciating uniqueness, creating unforgettable experiences and celebrating our consumers.

KBL Hosts the 10th Edition of the Smirnoff Unleash Your Edge Fiesta

Kisumu City recently played host to an electrifying night of music and entertainment as “Smirnoff Unleash Your Edge Fiesta” took center stage at the Mambo Leo grounds. The event, hosted by Smirnoff TM, transformed the city into a hub of innovation, pulsating beats, and community celebration.

Unleash Your Edge fiesta is a campaign that was introduced last year, and it is all about good vibes and good times with friends. The aim of the event is to bring to life adventures that are beyond the usual, by creating flavorful experiences that are effortless yet meticulous to Smirnoff audiences.

The event underscored Smirnoff’s commitment to responsible drinking, by providing a platform for a secure and enjoyable experience. Smirnoff aims to contribute to a culture of responsible entertainment.

The event provided an unmatched platform for attendees to revel in the thrill of live performances and the infectious energy that defines Smirnoff events. Revelers were entertained by an array of top-tier performances including the headliner, Bien Amie, and Kisumu’s Elisha Toto. Others included MCs Gudahman and Gogo as well as DJs Grauchi, DJ Karoski, DJ Redbone, Dj Ro, DJ Daffy, DJ Ves, DJ Adella, DJ Budd Head

Brigid Wambua, KBL Smirnoff Brand Manager, emphasized that the Kisumu Fiesta marked a strategic move towards elevating the business of entertainment, offering patrons meticulously curated moments that resonate with their aspirations.

We’re thrilled to have brought the Smirnoff Unleash Your Edge Fiesta to Kisumu. This event is more than just a celebration; it’s a testament to innovation, community, and the vibrant spirit of Kisumu. Smirnoff, a legacy brand, continues to lead the charge in redefining the spirits industry. We are renowned for our commitment to innovation, quality, and delivering unrivaled entertainment experiences.” She added.

The Fiesta showcased Smirnoff’s unwavering dedication to providing cutting-edge experiences, seamlessly blending global brand influence with the local vibrancy of Kisumu.

This event is part of Smirnoff’s We Do We campaign, a vibrant global initiative that boldly celebrates the magic of unity. It’s a symphony of diverse people, ingredients, and flavors coming together to create something extraordinary. This campaign invites consumers to express their authentic selves, fostering a sense of unity and belonging. Smirnoff believes that we’re stronger together, and this campaign, infused with fresh, colorful energy, represents the most significant platform shift in over a decade.

KENYA BREWERIES LAUNCHES SMIRNOFF BATTLE OF THE BEATS SEASON 3

Smirnoff Kenya proudly unveils the triumphant return of the electrifying Smirnoff Battle of the Beats Season 3, a DJ competition that’s set to discover and champion the expression of progressive creativity through representation and inclusivity in the DJing industry.

Following the resounding triumphs of the two previous seasons and the unearthing of exceptional talents, Season 3 promises to raise the bar even higher.

Over the next six thrilling months, consumers will be witnessing a competition of unparalleled magnitude and grandeur. Smirnoff TM is introducing a national format that’s all about celebrating Kenya’s rich and diverse musical tapestry. From the mystic Mountains to the serene Lakes, the vibrant Coast, bustling Nairobi, and the enigmatic Rift, DJs from every corner of this musical wonderland will converge to vie for the illustrious title of the undisputed Smirnoff Battle of the Beat (SBOB) Season 3 champion.

Get ready to groove to the tunes of Kenya’s most eminent and respected spin maestros, as they don the hats of official judges for this epic showdown: DJ Grauchi, DJ Malaika and DJ Karowski,. Their seasoned expertise is the guarantor that this competition will remain the ultimate proving ground for the country’s cream-of-the-crop DJs.

This competition seamlessly melds with the larger-than-life Smirnoff TM’s We Do We campaign, a vibrant global initiative that boldly celebrates the magic of unity. It’s a symphony of diverse people, ingredients, and flavours coming together to create something extraordinary. This campaign invites consumers to express their authentic selves, fostering a sense of unity and belonging. Smirnoff believes that we’re stronger together, and this campaign, infused with fresh, colourful energy, represents the most significant platform shift in over a decade.

Speaking with infectious enthusiasm at the competition’s grand launch event, East Africa Breweries Marketing and Innovation Director Anne Joy Michira declared that the revival of SBOB perfectly aligns with Smirnoff’s unwavering commitment to be the audacious spark that ignites the collective in line with their new campaign ‘We do We. “In a world where we’re constantly told to focus on ourselves, it’s becoming more apparent that we’re all yearning to be part of something bigger. At a time when the expression of ‘you do you’ has lost some of its shine and inclusivity is being challenged around the world, ‘WE DO WE’ is our rallying cry to embrace the power of the collective’. said Anne Joy

Anne Joy also disclosed that SBOB empowers the youth to flaunt their talents and earn recognition from industry titans and music aficionados alike. “We take immense pride in reintroducing the Smirnoff Battle of the Beats Season 3. Brace yourselves, Kenya, because the stage is set, the decks are primed, and the beat is about to drop like never before,’’ This competition throws the spotlight on the DJing community, flinging wide open the doors to an array of thrilling opportunities. This competition is poised to birth the DJs of tomorrow.

While commenting on the launch of the competition, Smirnoff Kenya Brand Manager Brigid Wambua said: “Calling all aspiring DJs! Share your electrifying 2-3-minute DJing performance on Instagram or Facebook, tagging @smirnoffke and using the hashtags #WeDoWe and #SBOB

Here’s the lowdown of the spectacular journey this competition will undertake:

The Auditions: The pulse-pounding auditions will take center stage across the Mountain, Lake, Coast, Nairobi, and Rift regions. It all kicks off in Thika, but stay tuned for further audition dates to be announced on the official Smirnoff social media platforms – Instagram and Facebook.

The Top 20: Our meticulous organizers and discerning judges will meticulously select the crème de la crème from the video submissions, forging the elite Top 20.

The Thika Showdown: The Top 20 DJs will engage in a face-off at the Unleash Your Edge Fiesta event in Thika, an electrifying prelude to the main event. The judges will handpick the exceptional Top 12 DJs who will carry the torch forward in this fierce competition.

Battle Royale on “IWAKE“: From Thika, the Top 12 DJs will take center stage on the KTN entertainment sensation show “IWAKE,” captivating audiences over six to seven heart-pounding weeks. Home viewers will don the judge’s hat, participating in a riveting voting process that culminates in a dramatic elimination.

The nail-biting elimination unfolds as follows:

  • Week one: 12 contestants will square off with five-minute sets, followed by a two-week consumer voting phase to crown the Top 6.

  • The Top 6 will then unleash their skills on live TV with awe-inspiring 10-minute performances, followed by another two-week voting period to determine the Top 4.

  • It’s a showdown of epic proportions when the Top 4 hit the live TV stage, delivering jaw-dropping 15-minute sets. Once again, the viewers will wield their voting power for two intense weeks to unveil the Top 2.

  • In a grand finale of musical mastery, the Top 2 will go head-to-head in a thrilling 15-minute live performance showdown, where the audience will decide the regional champion.

This electrifying process will unfold in each of the five regions. Once the dust settles, the five regional victors will converge for an epic showdown in front of a live audience and a panel of esteemed judges, where the Kenyan champion will be crowned.

Competition prizes are as listed below:

Our regional winners will walk home with a 2TB -Flash Disk, Headphones, and A Smirnoff hamper as well as the chance to be DJ’ing in some of our subsequent events.

The overall general winner will take home a 2-TB Flash Disk, Headphones, Mac Book Laptop, DJ Deck, and Flight Case as well as the chance to be DJ’ing in some of our subsequent events and ultimately the bragging rights to be the season 3 winner!

Gear up for an epic battle of beats, and let the rhythms of unity and authenticity reign supreme. Smirnoff Battle of the Beats Season 3 is here to set your soul ablaze with the power of music, the magic of unity, and the thrill of victory. Stay tuned for an unforgettable journey through the heart of Kenya’s musical landscape.

Embattled Kajiado bar owner wins suit against EABL on bottle controversy

The High Court today 15th January 2020, has issued an order barring prohibiting the police or any other person from arraigning, charging or prosecuting a Kajiado bar owner in relation to the use or possession of the 500Ml EURO bottle design bottle that is at the centre of a East African Breweries Ltd and Keroche Breweries contest.

Lois Munzi, a bar owner in Kajiado, 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.

In her petition to the High Court, Ms Munzi claimed that the marking of the bottles by EABL was being used to discourage bar owners from stocking competitors’ products.

Ms Munzi through her lawyer Chris Kabugu also complained that the engraving of the 500ml universal bottle has created an environment conducive for corruption and bribery and was disruptive of the business environment.

In a sworn affidavit she narrated that two EABL employees alongside four police officers forcefully carried out a searched of her bar and harassed her customers who were ordered out of the bar. Some customers were briefly arrested and they paid bribes before they were allowed to scamper to safety. No search warrants or explanations for the assault was given.

The bar owner says she was initially held at Ilbissil Police patrol base and bail denied. She was transferred to Kajiado Police station at about 7pm and was not granted bail until 10pm on 27th December 2019 when her lawyers intervened.

Justice D.K Kemei, sitting at the High Court in Machakos, certified the matter as urgent. He also asked for EABL to be served. The matter was referred to Justice Chacha J. Chacha on 4th February 2020 for further directions.

Several interested parties have filed suits against EABL on their move to engrave the commonly used 500 Euro bottles. Among them are Keroche Breweries, the Keroche Breweries Distributors Association.

On 8th January 2020, the Council of Bar Owners Association held a press conference and issued a 14 day ultimatum to both EABL and Keroche Breweries to resolve the Euro bottle standoff or face a boycott by the 52,000 bar owners in Kenya.

According to the Association and Munzi’s petitions, EABL agents designated as brand inspectors are accused of conducting illegal searches and seizures of bottles and sometimes demand bribes on the threat of arrest and incarceration for illegal possession of the ‘marked bottle’.

The suit between the main protagonists EABL and Keroche Breweries over the 500ml Euro bottle will be heard on March 10th 2020.