More woes for Keroche as Tabitha Karanja pleads for leniency

KEROCHE CEO Tabitha Karanja also Nakuru Senate UDA aspirant now says KEROCHE BREWERIES DOES NOT OWE KRA 22Billion.

“It is very sad that the Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority, a man I respect very much, has personalized the dispute between KRA and Keroche. It is good to note that over the years, we have had a cordial relationship with KRA and we are in the category of large taxpayers since 2004.” Tabitha

The businesslady cum politician is asking Mr. Commissioner General, to give the brewer a second chance.

“I still plead with the KRA to afford us an opportunity to get back on our feet and regain our footing as a manufacturer, employer and a local indigenous business entity in order to sustainably meet all our obligations.

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.”

Earlier, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) had vowed not to reopen Keroche Breweries, accusing the brewer of disregarding a deal to stagger payment of a disputed Sh22.79 billion tax bill and failing to pay duty after the taxman lifted the blockade on the plant in March.

The tough stance against the troubled Naivasha-based-brewer has dimmed an appeal from the firm for a six-month moratorium before beginning to make monthly repayments as per the agreement signed three months ago.

Owned by the Karanja family, Keroche previously linked its woes to a Sh351 million demand, but KRA painted the brewer a cheat who owes the State over Sh22 billion in unpaid taxes.

The Sh22.79 billion tax demand is worth more than the market value of Kenya Airways and the combined worth of nearly half of the firms listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).

KRA accused Keroche of defaulting on agreed plans to clear the tax arrears including a deal to pay half a billion shillings monthly inked in December.

In March, the brewer was offered 24 months to clear tax arrears amounting to Sh957 million which are