Deputy President William Ruto has hit out at the government for shutting down Keroche Breweries Limited over tax arrears.
The brewer was closed by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) after defaulting on an earlier agreement to repay tax arrears amounting to Sh320 million, according to Keroche CEO Tabitha Karanja.
Addressing the press on Tuesday, Karanja warned that more than 400 workers could be rendered jobless while beer worth over Sh350 million could go to waste if the company remains closed.
She claimed that the company signed the tax repayment agreement under duress and efforts to seek more time to pay the arrears had hit the wall.
Speaking during a campaign rally in Kisii on Wednesday, Ruto alleged that the closure of Keroche was politically motivated, attributing it to Karanja’s decision to vie for the Nakuru senate seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
He noted that more than 400 workers have been rendered jobless and over 3,000 families that depend on the company affected by its closure.
“To say that Keroche has been closed because of the political persuasion of Mama Keroche is the worst insult and worst form of impunity in the Republic of Kenya. The only mistake the Keroche woman has committed is to decline to join Azimio. Your days are numbered. You cannot close Keroche because of political issues. That is pure politics,” said Ruto.
“I want to tell Kenyans that these people want to destroy the businesses of the people of Kenya. They cannot tell us about investment and business opportunities if they are destroying the business opportunities that exist today in Kenya,” he added.
Ruto urged Kenyans to reject Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga and vote for Kenya Kwanza Alliance en masse on August 9th to remove impunity from Kenya.
Tabitha Keroche has…
Tabitha Keroche has acknowledged that her company owes millions of back taxes. She was given an extension time to pay her taxes at a prorated rates.
Ruto is being disingenuous by lying that Keroche breweries is target of political witch hunt. This is the reason Kenyans do not like Ruto because he only takes a position that may favor him. Ruto is simply twisting what Tabitha KARANJA has on Jeff Koinange Live a few months ago.
Tabitha pay your damn stupid…
Tabitha pay your damn stupid taxes to avert lying off the 400 workers you are talking about. In kenya , every body pays taxes but you are trying to make sound like you are the only one who pays taxes. It all goes to show what a poor manager you are if you can’t pay your taxes on time.
Kenya kwisha will finish our…
Kenya kwisha will finish our country if Ruto is voted in as the new president. Presidents don’t go making pronouncements standing next to a girlfriend that has refused to pay business taxes to Kra.
I pay my taxes every day and I don’t get extensions to pay my taxes. Why should Tabitha Keroche be treated differently?
Political associations is…
Political associations is personal choice and that alone does not mean that Karanja should not pay taxes because she is allied with DP Ruto. And by the way,has Ruto paid all his taxes? It sounds like Ruto is saying that the rich and famous should not pay the taxes they owe to KRA.
The case here is very clear that Tabitha owes a lot of money to KRA and she needs to pay just like others do.
Ruto is just lying to get an…
Ruto is just lying to get an additional vote from the Keroches. It is such a bad way to do the business of our country. Every body pays taxes in kenya. Why is Tabitha a special Kenyan to pay her taxes?
Why should Local Kenyan…
Why should Local Kenyan owned Breweries be closed then European breweries given the license to operates kule Naivasha???….Why KCC, Raymond, Rivertex,Western belt sugar industries were closed then go for sugar imports from Brazil??..Why not give tax breaks to those companies that create employment to our local citizens along the supply chain??? From farmer to factory workers to retailers…Why politicise the issue that benefits all of us in one way or ther other???,from Our families, our neighbors, our friends and fellow citizens!!…
Why should Local Kenyan…
Why should Local Kenyan owned Breweries be closed then European breweries given the license to operates kule Naivasha???….Why KCC, Raymond, Rivertex,Western belt sugar industries were closed then go for sugar imports from Brazil??..Why not give tax breaks to those companies that create employment to our local citizens along the supply chain??? From farmer to factory workers to retailers…Why politicise the issue that benefits all of us in one way or ther other???,from Our families, our neighbors, our friends and fellow citizens!!…
Karanjas never paid taxes…
Karanjas never paid taxes when they and other elite thugs supported muuaji Raila.KRA can stop chasing her if she defects to Raila’s DAMU party.Remember Mumbi’s shs 800m. NYS case was concluded after Raila ATE Uhuru’s PEKENYE left overs.More than shs 2b. was looted by Cecil Kariuki & Co. when she succeeded jambazi Mumbi in the same ministry but Raila never barked at her since she was taking care of his PENIS.The same TOMBA TOMBA game happened last year when WANJIRU JOY looted shs 1.2b. COVID loan.Bado wana TOMBA TOMBA.
Tabitha of the Holy…
Tabitha of the Holy Scriptures was a generous, compassionate woman who faithfully paid her taxes to the Romans. Someone needs to tell this Kenyan Tabitha to stop hiding behind Ruto’s ngotha and do what’s right.
Huyu Mwizi Ruto anasema nini…
Huyu Mwizi Ruto anasema nini? Kimia wewe Mwizi.