Keroche Breweries founder Tabitha Karanja has revealed the conversation she had with the Orange Democratic Movement Party leader Raila Odinga weeks before she joined Deputy President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Karanja has noted that after long consultations with Nakuru residents, they advised her to consider UDA outfit as the political vehicle for her Senatorial bid.
Approaching Raila with the statistics, Karanja pointed out that the Former Premier told her to wait until the end of February in order to gauge whether the numbers had changed in the favour of the Azimio la Umoja movement within the county.
"Yes, I will run under the UDA brand because that's what the ground says. My team conducted a lot of opinion polls and we found out that the UDA is the right political vehicle because my aim is not to try my hand in politics but is to win."
"I've talked to everyone including Raila and he had told me to wait after February and I waited but the ground has not changed," she stated.
In an interview with Citizen TV's Jeff Koinange on Wednesday, March 9, Karanja also pointed out that she had consulted with Siaya Senator and Azimio la Umoja proponent, James Orengo, who appreciated the hard task that she faced in choosing the political party.
"I also talked to my best friend cum lawyer, Orengo and I showed him the numbers and he informed me that it's a bit hard to choose but we were still to wait and see," she stated.
According to the Keroche billionaire, her long-tenured experience in business and entrepreneurship would make her the best fit to serve the people of Nakuru and Kenya at large in the Senate.
Karanja also pointed out that the residents of Nakuru county had urged her to join politics and represent their interests, and that she had honoured their calls.
"I was pushed by people to join politics. I believe when I’m in parliament, I will be able to represent other business people and ensure the laws are favorable."
Alluding to the tribulations facing her company, she added that the move was instigated by her business competitors who took advantage of the heightened political season in order to disrupt the operations of Keroche.
Karanja, who is seeking to succeed incumbent Senator, Susan Kihika, reveled her political with UDA after attending Deputy President William Ruto's rally in Nakuru County on Wednesday, January 26.
During the rally, Karanja revealed that she made the switch after consultations with her people and that she was interested in making the country a conducive environment for business.
"I have listened to you and you have told me that the only vehicle I can use to represent you is UDA. I agree with you.To the DP, I have listened to you and I have practiced that for the last twenty-five years and I am a practical example of bottom-up.
" I ask you when you make the Cabinet, remember the problem businesses have gone through. You should know that we want a conducive environment for businesses. High taxation has brought down companies," she stated.
