Patiala Distillers gives Methu, Thang’wa 48 hours to retract Kindiki, Mount Kenya Illicit alcohol claims
Patiala Distillers Limited Thursday gave Nyandarua Senator John Methu and Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa 48 hours to retract statements allegedly linking the alcohol manufacturer to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
Patiala Distillers Limited Thursday gave Nyandarua Senator John Methu and Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa 48 hours to retract statements allegedly linking the alcohol manufacturer to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
Through lawyer Danstan Omari, the company issued a cease-and-desist demand requiring the two senators to withdraw and apologise for remarks it says falsely portrayed Patiala Distillers as being owned, controlled or operated by Kindiki.
The company also rejected allegations that it manufactures, distributes or sells counterfeit or illicit alcoholic products, describing the claims as false and damaging to its reputation.
In a demand letter dated October 2, 2026, Omari accused Methu of making the alleged remarks during a political rally before they were circulated and republished on social media and other platforms.
The lawyer said similar allegations attributed to Thang’wa had also been published and amplified through various channels.
According to Patiala, the statements created an impression that Kindiki was behind the company and was responsible for the distribution of its alcoholic products to residents of Kiambu County.
“Our client’s ownership, management and commercial operations are not owned, controlled or undertaken by H.E. Prof. Kithure Kindiki as alleged,” Omari said in the demand letter.
Patiala described itself as an independent commercial entity engaged in the manufacture, distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages in Kenya.
“Our client is an independent commercial entity carrying on the lawful business of manufacture, distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages in Kenya,” Omari stated.
The company further maintained that it operates under the licences, permits and regulatory approvals required for its business.
“Our client further instructs us that it operates pursuant to the requisite licences, permits and regulatory approvals applicable to its business,” the lawyer said.
Patiala rejects counterfeit alcohol claims
The alcohol manufacturer also took issue with allegations linking it to counterfeit or illicit alcohol.
Omari said the claims portrayed Patiala as being involved in an unlawful alcohol distribution operation and as a front or proxy for Kindiki.
The company further alleged that the statements created an impression that it was responsible for supplying harmful or unlawful alcoholic beverages in Kiambu County.
“These imputations are false and defamatory of our Client,” Omari stated.
Patiala said the allegations could undermine consumer confidence in its products and damage its relationships with distributors, retailers and regulators.
The company also objected to what it described as an attempt to drag its business into a political contest.
“The attempt to introduce our Client’s name and products into a political contest to which it is not a party is wholly unjustified,” Omari said.
48-hour ultimatum
Patiala has demanded that Methu and Thang’wa immediately stop making, publishing, repeating, reposting or endorsing statements alleging that the company is owned, controlled, operated or financed by Kindiki.
The two senators have also been given 48 hours to issue what the company terms an “unequivocal, unqualified and unconditional retraction and apology”.
The proposed apology should expressly confirm that Patiala Distillers is not owned or controlled by Kindiki and does not manufacture, distribute or sell counterfeit, illicit or unlawful alcohol.
Omari warned that the company would move to court if the senators failed to comply with the demands within the stipulated period.
“We hold firm and unequivocal instructions to commence appropriate proceedings against you, without any further reference to yourselves,” the lawyer stated.
The dispute comes amid heightened scrutiny of Kenya’s alcohol industry and government efforts to crack down on illicit and counterfeit alcoholic products.
