Keroche Breweries Shut Down Again

Keroche Breweries founder Tabitha Karanja (center) addressing the press.
Keroche Breweries founder Tabitha Karanja (center) addressing the press.
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Keroche Breweries has been shut down once again after an agreement on how it would settle its tax arrears failed to be reached.

While addressing the press on Tuesday, June 14, Keroche Breweries founder, Tabitha Karanja, noted that the move has the future of its 400 workers hanging in the balance.

She also noted that if the closure is not stopped, beer worth Ksh350 million could go to waste.

"Thousands of innocent hard working Kenyans are undergoing the indignity and injustice of unemployment, poverty and hunger," Karanja stated.

Keroche Breweries CEO Tabitha Karanja speaking during a past press briefing
Keroche Breweries CEO Tabitha Karanja speaking during a past press briefing
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It is claimed that the company had defaulted on earlier agreement to gradually settle its outstanding tax arrears which it has denied.

In her statement, Karanja asked for a chance to rebuild the business and save the jobs of her staff before settling the tax arrears.

"I specifically request once more to be given a moratorium on the enforcement action that shut down our operations, and on the unsustainable payment plan that we agreed to under unbearable pressure.

"I therefore also humbly request for further engagement to consider a way for the company to meet its due obligations without sacrificing it and the livelihoods of countless Kenyan households," she added.

The fallout comes just months after the company had reached an agreement on a repayment plan that saw it resume operations after a hiatus in March.

The agreement had been arrived at and signed on March 14, 2022, after week-long negotiations involving the alcoholic drinks manufacturer.

Keroche agreed to pay Ksh957 million to the tax authority in a period of 24 months starting January 2022.

Karanja had accused the government of issuing an advisory to 36 banks not to lend Keroche, a move she noted had greatly contributed to her company's financial woes.

Keroche Breweries owners Tabitha Karanja and husband Joseph Karanja
Keroche Breweries owners Tabitha Karanja and husband Joseph Karanja when they launched a new beer in July 2019.
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