Court rejected a bid by Bia Tosha to stop the proposed transaction between Diageo and Asahi Group Holdings Court clears way for Asahi takeover of EABL as bid to block deal fails The sale of East African Breweries to Japanese firm Asahi now proceeds to its final phase after the High Court cleared the way for the transaction.
Bia Tosha had sought interim orders to suspend completion of the deal, citing concerns that were not publicly detailed in the ruling summary. However, the court found insufficient grounds to grant the request. “The petitioner’s notice of motion dated 5th January 2026 is hereby dismissed,” said High Court judge Bahati Mwamuye, adding that any other orders that could impede the completion of the deal were all lifted.
In a statement issued shortly after the judgment, EABL welcomed the court’s decision, noting that it reinforces confidence in the regulatory and legal frameworks governing major corporate transactions in the region. “This decision allows the transaction to proceed to completion through standard regulatory channels,” the company said in a statement to the newsroom.
London-listed Diageo, said in December it had agreed to sell its 65 per cent stake in EABL to the Japanese brewer, as it implements a turnaround strategy to reduce debt and revive growth. Following the ruling the next steps will now fall under the purview of relevant competition and regulatory authorities.