Nakuru Senator and Keroche Breweries Limited Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tabitha Karanja has officially resigned from her position at the brewer after serving the company for 25 years.
The outgoing CEO has handed over her responsibilities to the Chief Financial Officer of the Naivasha-based company Potas Anaya.
In her sendoff speech at the company premises in Naivasha, Mrs Karanja said she had decided to relinquish the position in order to give more time to serving the residents of Nakuru who voted for her overwhelmingly as their senator.
“I am now ready to dedicate myself to serving as the Senator of Nakuru and Deputy Leader of the Majority in the Senate,” the outgoing Keroche CEO stated.
She voiced her confidence in the new generation of business leaders who will take over the company’s leadership and continue its growth.
“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.
An emotional Karanja said in the 25 years, she had seen enormous growth not only in the company she nurtured from the scratch but also in her employees.
Karanja confirmed her support for the new CEO despite leaving the company. The announcement coincides with the company’s celebration of 25 years since its formation.
“I also believe I leave an organization well-positioned to meet the opportunities and challenges of being a national and international leader in the Kenyan and African beverages industry,” Karanja said.
The Senator said the ongoing debate in the country on alcoholic drinks is healthy, but there is need to recognize that this is a vital sector of the economy and therefore must be approached with sobriety and a progressive mindset.
She revealed that this year alone, KRA anticipates tax revenues exceeding Sh.250 billion from the alcohol industry.
“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.
But the 25 years has not been a rosy journey for the Keroche Breweries and the outgoing CEO, last year Keroche breweries limited was shut down for the second time on July 14 by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) after the two parties failed to agree on how to settle the outstanding tax arrears of Sh.322million.It had earlier been closed in December 2021 over the same tax arrears and reopened in March.
But in April this year, the outgoing Keroche Breweries Limited CEO was charged afresh with 13 counts of in Sh14.5 billion tax evasion case against her.
Further in May this year, a law firm that has been defending the Naivasha-based alcohol manufacturer in cases against the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) petitioned the High Court to wind up the troubled brewer over a debt of Sh233.7 million being legal fees.
By Mabel Keya – Shikuku
