Nakuru Senator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Keroche Breweries Limited, Tabitha Karanja, has officially resigned from her position at the company after serving for 25 years.
Karanja, in her farewell speech at the company premises in Naivasha, announced that she made the decision to step down in order to devote more time to serving the residents of Nakuru who had overwhelmingly elected her as their senator.
“After 25 years as captain, the time has come for me to pass on the baton to the next generation of business leaders. It is with immense pride that I announce my stepping down as Keroche CEO,” she affirmed.
She expressed her readiness to dedicate herself to her role as the Senator of Nakuru and Deputy Leader of the Majority in the Senate.
Expressing confidence in the new generation of business leaders, Karanja affirmed that it was time for her to pass on the baton to the next leaders who would continue the company’s growth. She expressed immense pride in her journey as the CEO of Keroche Breweries, a company she had nurtured from its inception, and noted the significant growth witnessed in both the company and its employees during her tenure.
Although she is leaving the company, Karanja pledged her support for the new CEO. The announcement coincided with the company’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.
Karanja also addressed the ongoing national debate on alcoholic drinks, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the alcohol industry as a vital sector of the economy. She advocated for a balanced and progressive approach to regulation, highlighting the need to differentiate between regulation and prohibition.
“It’s worth noting that the Government in March this year declared war on illicit and second generation alcoholic brews that has destroyed lived of many young people. It is crucial to regulate the industry without undermining its existence. Let us remember that regulation is different from prohibition,” Karanja said.
It hasn’t been an entirely smooth journey for Keroche Breweries and its outgoing CEO over the past 25 years. Last year, the brewery faced closure for the second time in July due to outstanding tax arrears of Ksh. 322 million, following a failure to reach an agreement with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Prior to that, it was closed in December but reopened in March after settling the same tax arrears.
In April of this year, Karanja faced fresh charges in a tax evasion case totaling Sh14.5 billion, comprising 13 counts against her. Additionally, in May, a law firm representing Keroche Breweries in cases against the KRA petitioned the High Court to wind up the company due to outstanding legal fees amounting to Ksh. 233.7 million.
