Nairobi, Jan. 26 -- East African Breweries Plc (EABL) reported flat growth in net income in the half year ended December as higher costs and increased taxation offset sales growth.

The company posted a net profit of Sh8.7 billion in the review period, a marginal decline from Sh8.73 billion the year before.

The company kept its interim dividend unchanged, declaring a payout of Sh3.75 per share. The dividend will be paid on or about April 28 to shareholders on record as of February 16.

EABL's parent firm Diageo is set to start buying a total of up to 118.3 million additional shares in the Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed firm starting Monday next week.

The multinational will buy the shares in two phases at a premium price of Sh192 eac...