The Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya (ABAK) has welcomed African Originals into its membership, adding one of Kenya’s emerging locally owned craft beverage manufacturers to the industry organisation representing alcoholic beverage producers and distributors. The announcement, made on 9 November 2026, expands the association’s membership as the industry continues to navigate regulatory, taxation and market pressures.
African Originals manufactures alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in Kenya, with a portfolio spanning cider, gin, ready-to-drink cocktails, tonics and iced tea. Its membership brings a company operating across several beverage categories into an association whose activities include industry representation, engagement with government agencies and promotion of responsible alcohol production and marketing.
A growing local manufacturer
Founded by Alexandra Chappatte, African Originals began operations in Nairobi with Kenyan Originals cider before expanding into spirits and other beverage categories. Its portfolio now includes Kenyan Originals, 5.8 Spirits and African Originals, with products ranging from fruit-based ciders and craft gin to ready-to-drink gin cocktails and non-alcoholic refreshments.
The company operates an integrated manufacturing and distribution business, sourcing ingredients, producing beverages and managing distribution. Its route-to-market reaches more than 4,000 outlets in Kenya, while its export activities have extended into other East African markets and the United Kingdom, according to its B Lab company profile.
Industry representation
ABAK is a non-profit industry association founded in 2007 to bring together manufacturers and distributors of alcoholic beverages for adults. Its responsibilities include providing technical information, training and industry representation to government agencies, consumers and other participants in the beverage value chain.
The association has historically included major industry operators such as East African Breweries, Heineken, Kenya Wine Agencies and London Distillers. Its work also covers responsible marketing and engagement on regulatory issues affecting alcohol manufacturers and distributors.
Regulatory interests
African Originals’ admission comes as Kenyan beverage manufacturers face questions around excise taxation, regulatory compliance, illicit alcohol and the cost of operating within the formal market. For smaller domestic producers, industry representation provides a channel through which regulatory proposals and their commercial implications can be raised collectively.
The company’s own regulatory exposure is not new. In 2024, the Competition Authority of Kenya approved Phoenix Beverages’ acquisition of a 28.15 per cent controlling stake in African Originals. The transaction covered its alcoholic cider, spirits and non-alcoholic ready-to-drink activities, illustrating the company’s growing position across Kenya’s beverage market.
ABAK has not disclosed the specific terms of African Originals’ membership or outlined any immediate policy initiatives arising from the addition. The announcement nevertheless brings another domestic craft beverage manufacturer into the industry’s organised representation at a time when regulatory decisions increasingly influence the economics of producing and distributing alcoholic drinks in Kenya.
