Why only few rich Kenyans drink Japanese whisky for now

Liquor Library Director Sylvia Karanja poses for a photo after an interview at her store along Kiambu road on February 5, 2026.

Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group

Appetite for Japanese whisky has remained low in Kenya, despite it being ranked among the best in the world.

Retailers say high prices, limited availability due to lack of a distributor, and consumer loyalty to Scotch and Irish whiskies have kept Japanese spirits largely confined to high-end bars and niche buyers.

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Note: The results are not exact but very close to the actual.