This archive report was first published on 23 August 2019.
On August 22, 2019, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji issued arrest orders for Keroche Breweries directors Tabitha Karanja and Joseph Karanja over alleged tax evasion.
The couple, founders of the Naivasha-based Keroche Breweries, were arrested on Thursday afternoon after detectives frog-matched them from their company's factory in Naivasha.
They will be charged in court on suspicion of evading taxes amounting to Sh14.45 billion, a new twist in the firm's ongoing wars with the revenue agency.
Tabitha Karanja, the company CEO, described the tax fraud claims as baseless and stated that she had not received any communication from the office of the DPP nor had any investigating officer questioned her over the alleged fraud.
"I have never seen any investigating officer in our brewery at any given time in Keroche's lifetime. It is such a gross violation, harassment and intimidation by such a high office in our beloved country," she stated.
However, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) defended its actions against tax evaders, stating that the fight against tax evasion is not targeting any business staff or individual.
"Kenyans should reject the narrative that KRA is fighting any individual or business. On the contrary, KRA has the additional responsibility of trade facilitation under which we support a business environment that is conducive for the growth of business," KRA said in a statement.
