Nairobi, April 5 -- Coca-Cola has avoided a fine of up to Sh10 million or cancellation of its Sh10.7 billion acquisition of stakes in three soda bottling firms from Centum Investment for flouting one of the regulatory conditions linked to the approval of the deal.

The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) revealed that Coca-Cola Sabco East Africa, which is indirectly owned 66.5 percent by the US soda giant, had stopped retailers from stocking drinks from rival firms in its branded fridges.

Coca-Cola had breached an agreement attached to the approval of the Sh10.7 billion deal in 2019 that it would allow rival firms to use its coolers ahead of September 2021.

This triggered a warning from the CAK that Coca-Cola Sabco East Africa complies...