The brewer reported a 49% rise in net earnings to Sh18.2 bn in the year ended June 2026 Andrew Kilonzo, Managing Director KBL, Jane Karuku, Group Managing Director and CEO, EABL, and Justin Mollel, CFO, EABL during the F26 Full Year Results announcement /HANDOUT East African Breweries is planning for life after Diageo, with the transition now the company's top strategic priority.
The brewer said its focus has shifted to ensuring business continuity and a smooth handover once the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) approves Japan's Asahi Group Holdings' takeover. Speaking after the company's full-year results announcement, EABL Managing Director Jane Karuku said operational preparations are already underway, marking the clearest indication yet that the company is planning for a post-Diageo era.
"Looking ahead, of course, the biggest agenda in front of us is transition. When we get that approval, we have to make sure that the business continues to perform, but also has a very successful transition because transitions are important and we all need to be all hands-on deck to make sure that we are successful," said Karuku.
Diageo announced in December 2025 that it intended to sell its stake in EABL to Asahi, one of Japan's largest beverage companies. According to EABL, the transaction has secured several key regulatory approvals across the region, including an exemption from a mandatory takeover offer by Kenya's Capital Markets Authority, approvals from Uganda's Capital Markets Authority and Tanzania's Capital Markets and Securities Authority, as well as competition clearances in Uganda and Tanzania.
The deal is now awaiting approval from the Competition Authority of Kenya, which management described as the final regulatory requirement. According to the brewer's financials, capital expenditure has declined over the past two years. However, EABL said it will maintain spending on expansion, brands and sustainability despite the impending ownership change, dismissing speculation that the moderation in capital expenditure is linked to the acquisition.
The brewer said investment decisions continue to be guided by business needs rather than the proposed transaction, adding that it remains committed to funding growth initiatives while awaiting the final approval.