I want to speak out for all the voiceless whether they are poor or rich. And I want to speak candidly.
This is on the issue of the Keroche Breweries, its obligations, importance to the country and compliance with the law. The company has been facing a barrage of attacks from not only MPs from Central province but now the tax man, KRA, is after the humble lady, Tabitha, saying that Keroche has not met its tax obligations.
Though we don’t know each other, I am always inspired by Tabitha Karanja because she is appealing to my heart. I think I would have married her, supported and protected her and we would have had beautiful children. She is an iron lady. The type I admire. I am not a man of kuch kuch hota hai type. I admire strong and determined ladies who will push boundaries to achieve their dreams. Tabitha has built what the country has failed to build, a key manufacturing economy. The woman has built a working production engine employing hundreds who serve the local economy in a way which is uncommon in Kenya.
I say its uncommon because Kenya is turning into a service or sales economy. We buy all from wherever they are produced and sell them locally. We have an economy with less foreign exchange getting in but much more of out cash going out. In effect, the current Kenyan economy is actually having a negative effect on the shilling. We can’t be a country of consumption and minimal production.
During the last coalition government where Kibaki was the president and Raila the PM, in fact October 2008, something occurred at Keroche which will explain what is happening now. Keroche got a Ksh 5 billion financing from Barclays Bank. The company built a new bottling plant then wanted the President to open it to assure her financiers that she had the government’s backing in her operations. She has always been solo.
When she sent out an invite to President Kibaki through his PA, Joe Wanjui, she was assured of the support of the President. Madam Tabitha Karanja wanted President Kibaki to open the new plant. It was until the last minute (2 days to the opening) that someone whispered to her that nothing like that was on Kibaki’s diary. In fact, Kibaki knew but someone had prevailed on him not to open the plant because “huyo sio wetu.”
In the circle of wealthy Kikuyus, you just don’t have to have the money, chums or mbesha but you also need to be cleansed and admitted into the inner circle of the elite who controls the Kenyan economy. You can’t just be a billionaire and have access to the Muthaiga Club which runs the country. You need to be cleansed, analysed and invited into the club. Tabitha Karanja with all her influence, money and expertise has never been allowed anywhere near Muthaiga Club. She can’t wine and dine with the powerful Kikuyus controlling the Kenyan economy. She is an outsider to them.
So back to the story. Tabitha realising that she was played, decided to do the unthinkable. She drove all the way from Naivasha to State House hoping to get to see the President and personally prevail on him to support her. Tabitha was angry, sad and disappointed at the same time. She spent over 1 hour pleading with her State House connections to be allowed to see President Kibaki. She was completely denied access. Hyslop Ipu (then State House Comptroller) was her contact. She had to look for other ways of surviving. She drove to the nearby Serena Hotel to catch a drink, drown her sorrows and recollect herself. She was burning inside.
It took Hyslop Ipu’s assistant to call her and tell her that the battle she was fighting, she was not going to win. The assistant asked her to look for Raila for support. She slapped herself and thought how stupid she was not to think of Raila. She called Oburu to ask if Raila would be comfortable. Oburu said, “WHY NOT.” It was late in the evening and everyone was retired home. She wanted to go see Raila immediately. Oburu gave her the directions and she drove straight to Karen. She got access to Raila and explained her predicament.
After hearing all her stories, Raila told her that on the said date, he had a scheduled event in Kisumu and he would be flying there in his chopper. He agreed to pass by for a maximum of 30 minutes to launch the new production plant then fly to Kisumu. The problem was that Keroche didn’t have a good place to land the chopper. Tabitha promised to build an helipad in a record 48 hours if she was given the specifications. She sure did. When Raila landed at Keroche, he was wowed and dumbstruck. He was shocked by what he was seeing. As an engineer, he knew what he was seeing and he thinks that it’s what Kenya needs. Instead of staying for 30 minutes, Raila stayed for over two hours.
Tabitha has FOREVER been grateful to Raila. That’s why Oburu Odinga was appointed the firm’s chairman.
A previous incident was even more painful. In 2003 when Kibaki went to Nakuru to open his first agricultural show, Keroche was to be feted in the show among the leading manufacturing industries in the region. Everything was set and Tabitha’s seat was on the podium among others’. Just before Kibaki arrived for the show, Michuki ordered that her seat be removed from the podium. Tabitha cried but vowed to soldier on. She was pained. This woman has seen the worst form of treatment.
The targeted frustration of Tabitha Karanja is an ACT of TREASON. Kenya willl never prosper on malls and the service industry alone. Kenya will grow if we build unrivalled manufacturing economy to support the service economy. The service economy needs a much more affluent populace. We can’t say we are developed because every town has an average of two big malls. We must build our production. We must create, innovate and even export. Tea, coffee and flowers is going down. We must support sugar cane, pyrethrum, sunflower, macadamia, sorghum, cotton and onion production.
This is what Tabitha Karanja has been doing.
She is being sabotaged now because the Uhuru wing of the Jubilee coalition thinks that she has been close to Deputy President, William Ruto. Uhuru’s people believe that Ruto is amassing a war chest for his future ambitions. Some insiders told me that Ruto has already, close to Ksh 75 billion which he doesn’t use much. They believe that his ambitions are scary and so they are looking for ways of taming him.
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I feel touched by the Tabitha story. Madam, keep the fight and trust in your maker.
My goodness! Even this shall surely pass Keroche and Tabitha have been to hell and back.
This reminds me of Jamii Bora take over.By taking the 5 billion loan she was at her creditors mercy. Unknowingly she was a tool by a big international brewery to enter the Kenyan makert Just like Karume with castle were muscled out.Solution Kenyans should boycott to international owned breweries and revert to local beer .
Acts 20:24King James Version (KJV)
24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Why must a few minority thrive on the misery of majority?
A very intelligent woman who has managed a lot on her own,I do hope and pray she comes out of this much stronger and continue to build this economy
I swear I am pained by what I am reading because it’s a truth that has been staring at us all this time! There is a special place reserved in hell for those who frustrate the dreams of others along with those of their countrypeople and it’s actually right next to murderers, rapists and child molesters!
I read this post and I think it is well written. Tabitha and her Keroche should not be slapped by such a legal suit simply because she is threatening the status Quo. I think the cmpany and the lady should receive support from the government if Kenya is to see other entrepreneurship start-ups grow and thrive into the nation’s pride. Right now what KRA doing is wrong and undeserved. Rather than focusing on how to help KQ be the company it was meant to be, the government is busy pulling down an established company that very well contributes to the economic development of this country. I think this issue should strongly be opposed by the public, and pressure piled on KRA so that Keroche does not face unfair challenges. It need only face what it deserves to face.
Will a tax boycott be in order? There you cannot send riot police to lob tear gas.
Its really hard for mtu wa kawaida to get ahead in this world of others, as you devote all your energies towards striving to get ahead, there is another person that has devoted his life towards keeping you down. Nchi ya watu wadogo
Na akili ndogo.
I really feel the pain Madam Tabitha goes through but since her’s is hard work and sweat she should not be worried because God and the universe will definitely reward her…it’s a matter of time!
this is not news….in business you have to fight hard to survive,she deserves thumbs up though
It is news.Because she is being forced to fight a stupid war.Which has nothing to do with competitive enterprise.
This article is half-baked. The problem bedevilling Keroche industries are caused by EABL and Kibaki or Uhuru. Just research for the major shareholders of EABL and you will see why Keroche Breweries is being frustrated.
Baada ya dhiki ni faraja.
If there are people who decide who will have money, then Africans are indeed stupid.
While I truly admire the hard work put up by keroche, when they decided to finance Raila Odinga’s campaign to get his backing, that messed them up. They’re now considered pariah in central politics. God forbid, they may not recover considering the fight against such brews will be enhanced. They should start considering how to convert the industry to other uses, maybe a food processor.
That’s why I always insist on taking summit malt.. I drink inspiration.. #TrulyKenyan
Constant reference to “Kikuyu.” Trying substituting “Jew” or “Black” with “Kikuyu.” The author is a racist. Example “She can’t wine and dine with the powerful [Jews] controlling the Kenyan economy.”
This woman is a billionare and i dont believe the story
Plse have a summit beer wherever you are….. What an iron lady
I don’t take, but will buy one for you in support of Tabitha and her work—She is a true iron lady and her star will shine so bright one day ….
HERE ARE SOLUTIONS;
she should consider investing in S.Sudan, TZ, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi meanwhile but still keep his machines rolling in Kenya. These Mt. Kenya mafia will not last forever, the Roman Empire collapsed which was more organized than these vampires. Every society has its challenges but believe me Tabitha every successful business must face hurdles, you are going to win this one. Just behave like water ” in a war between water and rocks, water wins; not because of strength, but because of perseverance” don’t give in to idiots who are stealing our hard earned money to buy SUVs you just don’t know how close you are to success just soldier on. and time heals almost everything
Again,let her borrow a leaf from S.K.Macharia in terms of tenacity.It paid off eventually.
This is a true statement. While working as a commissioner in one of the provinces, one of my relatives described how “elite” kikuyus would come to his office to warn him not to work or give land to the poor kikuyus because “wata tu tharau”. It is common knowledge that the rich kikuyu do not want to associate with the poor kikuyus. This is something most people are not aware of. It is the poor kikuyus who are always doing all they can to protect the rich ones.
Are you saying Keroche owner is a poor kikuyu by any standard?
I am saddened by this turn of events. For the kenyan economy to grow to the level of economic giants of Asia that we were once at par with, We must develop and nurture our own. I respect Tabitha for her tenacity. Africans we are our worst enemy
You can say that again.Africans are their own worst enemy.
You’ve been fought a lot, but your tenacity inspires many of us. A true iron lady…
Tabitha mergers and take overs is the key word just ask budweiser and heineken to come on board and scatter this thieves to the four corners of the wind. Then has keroche ever thought of going into animal feeds production from the waste that they get from their company. KBL will run for dear life like KQ if you do.
This lady inspires me alot, we need people like here to manufacture and create jobs, she obviously has billions and someone might be very afraid of her
Tabitha’s story sounds quite interesting. I sometimes wonder why the politburo emphasis on foreign investors and yet local investors are discourage to invest and given a very hard time ! About Ruto having 75 billion, I am doubtful that anyone in Kenya is capable of having such amount of money lying in the bank without its source being established. Few companies can generate a turnover of such a figure and yet non of th is associated with Ruto. 750 millions in the bank sounds possible but 75 billion is imaginary .
There are also a lot of asians who are ready to invest a whole lot of money, but the govt just doesnt want it to happen. I had a friend whose boss wanted to expand operations and that too was stopped, now imagine 5-10 jobs could have been created?
2017 Election Get KRA Out of Kenyan Lives Will Strike a CORD in Kenyans
Amicus Lambae……..lamba yote mpaka kwa rectum…….all info above is not true
IDIOT
she must be protected, we are not n the business of GES and innovation with apps but we need real industries, open up our minds KRA and Kenao should not be used as unfair dogs to shoot down political pple who seem liberal.its up to UK to look into this issue and cover Tabitha, better KRA stops the nonsense of heaping issues on pple n companies but train and guide….this is TAX marku and they have collected only messing up books
I took a sip at the Summit lager and got sick for two days, I had earlier taken everything i considered worse, bluemoon , changaa but her ‘summit’ almost killed me
Ni kweli, this blogger has been paid. The story has been tweaked to sund like the whole world is against Tabitha. I don’t think so, but all in all she should be treated failry and if the words of Jesus mean anything to her, ” Treat others just the way you would like them to treat you….” The same sentiment should echo to all those who are against her too.
Since you “don’t” know her personally, how did you come across these details of her struggles? By playing around with politicians she took a gamble that may or not work.
I don’t how true this yarn is but i agree with you on one thing…no country has ever developed with out a vibrant manufacturing sector. If you look at the world’s economies you will observe that they all have vibrant manufacturing sectors which they guard zealously. One reason why Trump is a leading presidential contender in the upcoming US elections is the fact that he has promised to bring back all the manufacturing jobs that had been “off shored” to China.