The Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL) Board of Directors has appointed Ms. Lina Githuka as the new KWAL Managing Director. She takes over from Mr. Carlos Gomes who has been at the helm of the company since July 2016. The appointment of Ms. Githuka, effective November 1st, 2018, is part of the Company’s strategy to grow its market share in the alcoholic beverages industry.
Lina joined KWAL in February 2017 as Commercial Director with a mandate to develop and implement commercial strategies aimed at driving sustainable business growth. She has a wealth of experience both nationally and internationally in the broader FMCG market and has during her tenure as Commercial Director Kenya Wines Agency Limited made a significant contribution to the success of the organization.
Before joining Kenya Wines Agency Limited, Lina worked at BAT for a period of 16 years in various capacities and regions including London, South Africa and Uganda.
Distell, a South African alcohol producer acquired 26% shareholding of KWAL in 2014 followed by another 28.3% in 2017 bringing its shareholding to 54.3% thereby making the South African company the majority shareholder. The Government of Kenya, through Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation (ICDC), now owns 42.65% of KWAL and remains an integral part of the business.
Kenya Wines Agency Limited was incorporated in 1969, with the objective of providing an avenue for importation and distribution of wines and spirits and enable indigenous Kenyans to participate significantly in this sector. Distell products are available in over 90 countries globally