Nakuru County Senator Susan Kihika has accused the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is stifling the Big Four agenda.
In a press release after the arrest of the Keroche Industries proprietors, the outspoken Senator says it’s a shame the KRA which is funded by Kenyans is being used to frustrate Kenyan enterprises.
“It is a shame that the very offices funded by Kenyans can be used as conduits to destroy local enterprises, reduce job opportunities and stifle the manufacturing sector which ironically is one of the National Government’s Big 4 agenda,” wrote the Senator in her official Facebook page.
The senator’s remarked comes two days after the arrest of Madam Tabitha Karanja the CEO of Naivasha based Keroche Industries which is one of the biggest competitors to East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL). Madam Karanja and her co-accused have since been released on bond.
The proprietors of Keroche Breweries have been accused of tax evasion to a tune of 14 billion. Many Kenyans are however seeing this as witch hunt and sabotage of local investors.
“This latest stunt by the KRA not only threatens capital flight but also puts thousands of livelihoods at risk,” says the Senate Majority Chief Whip adding that the action by KRA is a betrayal of local hard-working entrepreneurs and investors.
“Keroche Industries is an award-winning family business that has over the years provided employment to hundreds of people while supporting thousands of households through vector enterprises. It has also benefitted hundreds of others through the Keroche Foundation which has developed entrepreneurship training programs to guarantee business success,” says the Senator in praise of one of Nakuru County’s premier manufacturing companies.
Ironically, Keroche Industries is the winner of several awards from the same government that seems to be currently frustrating them.