Keroche Breweries CEO Tabitha Karanja says she is feeling better in the wake of hitting an agreement with Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to pay tax arrears, ending disputes that brought about the company’s closure weeks ago.
The taxman on Wednesday, March 16 permitted Keroche to continue operating after the brewer consented to pay Sh957 million in a two-year time span beginning January 2022.
KRA additionally lifted notices it had given to 36 banks, banning the moneylenders from conducting business with Keroche.
KRAand Keroche signed the debt deal on March 14, 2022, following negotiations that began on Thursday, March 10.
Responding to the arrangement, Keroche CEO Tabitha Karanja swore to follow the understanding. She said thanks to the taxman for dialogue and the Kenyan public for rallying behind the company.
“I wish to say thank you to KRA for embracing dialogue and allowing the authority and Keroche to arrive at an amicable solution to the dispute. I also say thank you to members of the public for speaking up for Keroche as the tax impasse persisted,” she said.
“As Keroche, I’d say a whole quarter of a year – December, January and February – went to waste, consequently affecting our bottom-line. However, with the dispute now resolved, I’m hopeful we’ll bounce back to business and keep our side of the bargain,” said Tabitha Karanja.
Asked t if Keroche had the option to rescue the 2,000,000 liters of bear esteemed at Sh512 million, Tabitha said:
“Yes, though at a high maintenance cost. We needed a lot of [electric] power to maintain it in the tanks.”
She added: “I’m glad that my employees’ jobs are now no longer hanging in the balance.”
KRA allowed Keroche to return on Tuesday night, March 15.
Mrs Karanja said the 250 direct employees of the company reported to work on Wednesday morning, March 16.
In the mean time, Keroche beneficiary Anerlisa Muigai additionally offered her thanks after conquering what she portrayed as a s torm.
“Those past two weeks were a storm but we are stronger now. Thank you God and for everyone who genuinely prayed for us🙏” Anerlisa remarked.
