East African Breweries Ltd (EABL) plans to inject Sh2 billion in a packaging line to combat soaring cost of power.

Group managing director Gerald Mahinda said the new line will be commissioned in November.

"The cost of electricity is up hence the need to invest in new technology to reduce costs, improve efficiency and meet consumer needs," Mahinda said.

He said the company spends over Sh40 million every month on electricity.

He said the new line would produce in excess of 80,000 bottles of the company’s products every hour.

"There is a big consumer demand that needs to be met out there, "Mahinda told reporters after the tour of the company’s manufacturing plant in Ruaraka Nairobi on Wednesday.

Top EABL Executives accompanied by the Assistant Minister for Medical Services Danson Mungatana and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KBS) managing director Kioko Mang’eli toured the plant to verify claims by an MP that the company’s Alvaro drink contained alcohol.

Mungatana said his ministry, through the Government Chemist had conducted an analysis of the drink and established its non-alcoholic status.

"This is a good and safe drink without alcohol. I want to appeal to our fellow legislators that before they make their remarks on corporate entities they must get the facts correct," Mungatana said.