Tabitha Karanja has stepped down from the role of Keroche Breweries chief executive to concentrate as the Senate of Nakuru County and as the Deputy Majority leader.
Senator Karanja who been at the helm of the brewer for twenty five years overseeing the company’s rise to the second largest brewery in the country handed over the reins to Potus Anaya who until his appointment was the Chief Finance Officer.
Karanja broke down as she narrated the wrong and painful journey the company had undergone from state agencies, unfair competition from their competitors to losing her daughter.
This came as she announced that Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) had agreed to withdraw the protracted Ksh 1.1 billion tax case with a view of settling it out of court.
Speaking in Naivasha after handing over the seat, Karanja attributed the company woes to political war instigated by KRA and the competitors.
“All the tax wars were politically instigated and we are working on an alternative dispute resolution with KRA on this case that has dragged on in court for years,” she said.
She lauded the Kenya Kwanza government for the support given and allowing manufacturers a free hand to operate unlike the previous regime.
“We lost three years to Covid-19 and the closure by KRA but despite all this, we are fully back in production and in the market ready to recapture our share,” she said.
The Senator identified her arrest and incarceration two years ago as the lowest moment in her life adding that this had made her stronger.
“Becoming the second-largest brewery in Kenya and the largest owned by Kenyans is a testament to your skills and commitment,” she said.
She said that despite all her tribulations, the company had managed to produce 17 brands in their state-of-the-art 21st-century technology brewery.
“The majority of the challenges that once hindered us have now been overcome and we must acknowledge the harsh truth of time lost and opportunities missed,” she said.
The company chairman Joseph Karanja thanked his wife, the workers, distributors and their customers for standing with them despite attacks from various quarters.
“Many deserted us but we are grateful for those who believed in Keroche during the hard and thick times that saw us close down on several occasions,” he said.
The incoming CEO said that he was keen to take the company to the next level as they had the expertise, capacity and machinery to do that.
“We have undergone a lot of challenges which have made us stronger and we are keen on innovation and quality,” said Anaya.
The Naivasha-based brewer Production Manager Nicholas Kipchirchir said that they were now fully in production as he thanked their customers for standing with them.
