Business Desk 
East African Breweries Limited(EABL) has appointed Anne-Joy Michira as the Marketing & Innovation Director for East Africa.
Prior to the announcement, Michira was the Head of Marketing –Beer for EABL and was pivotal in building and growing some of East Africa’s biggest brands making it one of Diageo’s biggest beer businesses.
She also led Kenya’s Spirits Marketing where she is credited with spearheading the explosion of Mainstream Spirits (MSS) brands like Kenya Cane and Chrome Vodka; Kenya’s Mainstream Spirits business is now Diageo’s 2nd largest.
Terming her a “big business leader, passionate about propelling young Africans to action”, KBL MD, John Musunga & EABL Group HR Director, Tope Akinsanya lauded Michira’s work saying in her new role, she will “drive innovative thinking.”
“AJ has built an extensive commercial career spanning over 16 years, working in both trade & brand marketing and over the period has worked diligently to build empowered and engaged teams that deliver sustainable, vibrant P&Ls,” read the statement.
Michira began her career as a Trade Marketing Representative at British American Tobacco (BAT) and progressed into roles with increasing responsibilities over 10 years.She takes over from Graham Villiers-Tuthill.
This comes a when the Government is gearing on new modalities to tax the Beer Manufacturers.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani has proposed to raise the consumption tax on beer by Sh12.15 per litre to Sh134, wine by Sh20.80 to Sh229, while spirits like whisky, gin, rum, and vodka will attract Sh47.60 additional tax to Sh335.30 per litre.
The finance bill is currently under the purview of the National Assembly’s Finance and Planning Committee, which has asked for the views of the public as it looks to make recommendations to the rest of the House.
The alcoholic beverages industry is also likely to be affected by a proposed increase in the excise duty on locally manufactured glass, which would make the containers they use for packaging more expensive.
