Nakuru Senator and former Keroche Breweries CEO has said she was shocked by a warrant of arrest issued on Wednesday, July 26 over failure to attend the hearing of a Ksh14.5 billion tax case.
A Nairobi court issued an arrest warrant after she failed to show up for the case in which she was charged in April for evading tax.
In a statement, Senator Karanja claimed that she only learned of the developments through the media.
“Both ourselves and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) have no information to the contrary,” she said.
Also Read: Keroche Boss Tabitha Karanja to be Charged Afresh in Tax Evasion Case
She blamed lack of coordination and communication by the various authorities charged with managing the matter.
“We were not represented in Court due to the fact that the Kenya Revenue Authority and Keroche Breweries are currently engaged in an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process as ordered by the same court.”
She further claimed that they held the first meeting on June 6, and the process is ongoing.
“Both ourselves and KRA have no information to the contrary,” said the senator.
She called on the authorities to involve all parties concerned to create a better working environment.
“An amicable and expedited resolution of this matter is of critical importance to both parties and the need to restore much needed predictability in our business environment,” she added.
Resignation from the CEO position
In mid-June, Karanja resigned from Keroche breweries after overseeing the company’s operations for 25 years.
Also Read: Keroche Challenges KRA’s Tax Demand of Sh14.1bn, Claims It’s Only Sh7.3bn
She claimed to have made the decision to pass the management of the company to a new generation of business leaders.
“Having navigated the journey as the captain for 25 years, the time has come for me, Tabitha Karanja, to pass the baton to a new generation of business leaders.
With immense pride, I hereby announce my decision to step down as the CEO of Keroche Breweries, entrusting the leadership to a deserving successor,” she explained then.
