Former Java House owner files for liquidation after Sh3.21 billion tax wars with KRA
In February 2022, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) issued a Sh3.21 billion corporate income tax assessment against thee company linked to its exit from Java House, a transaction estimated at over Sh1.29 billio
Former Java House owner, ECP Kenya Limited, has formally announced plans to liquidate itself after losing an appeal before the High Court in a tax dispute involving proceeds from its 2017 exit from the popular restaurant.
In February 2022, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) issued a Sh3.21 billion corporate income tax assessment against the company linked to its exit from Java House, a transaction estimated at over Sh1.29 billion.
“NOTICE is given that a petition for the liquidation of the above-mentioned Company, ECP Kenya Limited, a limited liability company, company number CPR/2011/58490 with its registered offices situated on LR No. 1870/1/203, Ring Road Parklands, Nairobi c/o of Anjarwalla & Khanna LLP, ALN House, Eldama Ravine Close, Westlands, Nairobi, P O Box 200-00606, Nairobi, was presented by the Company on 30 July 2024 at the High Court of Kenya, Milimani Law Courts, Nairobi,” the firm said in a notice in the official Kenya Gazette.
“That the said petition is directed to be mentioned before the High Court, Commercial and Tax Division sitting at Nairobi, Milimani Law Court, on the 3rd July, 2025, at 9.00am or soon thereafter and any creditor or contributory of the said company desirous to support or oppose making of an Order on the said petition may appear at the time of mention in person or by his Advocate for that purpose and a copy of the petition will be furnished by the undersigned to any creditor or contributory of the said company requiring such a copy on payment of the regulated charge for the same,” it adds.
Java House is currently owned by private equity firms Alterra Capital and Phatisa Group which acquired it from London-based Actis – marking the fourth ownership change for Java House since 2012.
Founded by US entrepreneurs Kevin Ashley and John Wagner, Java House opened its first store in Nairobi in 1999 and currently operates 73 stores across Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. The coffee chain is part of the Java House Group, which also manages food manufacturer Foodscape alongside fast-casual brands Kukito, Planetyogurt and 360 Degrees Artisan Pizza.
In 2012, Washington DC-based investment Emerging Capital Partners acquired a 90 per cent stake in Java House from its founders before the now defunct Dubai-based private equity firm Abraaj Group purchased the group six years later in a deal reportedly worth over $100m.
Actis, part of US investment firm General Atlantic since October 2024, acquired Java House following the liquidation of Abraaj in 2019.
Founded in 2020, Alterra Capital’s investment portfolio primarily focuses on financial services and telecommunications companies. Phatisa Group has interests in Africa’s food value chain and counts Zambian protein brand Goldenlay, South African integrated foods firm Lona Group and FMCG beverage brand Continental Beverage Company among its investments. Java House will be the first coffee portfolio brand for both buyers.
Additional reporting by Allegra World Coffee Portal.
