News -Keroche Breweries, one of the leading distilling companies in the country, is currently grappling with debts.
According to latest news from impaccable sources, the local brewer has salary arrears running into over two months and as if that is not enough, it has also defaulted on a tax repayment plan with the Kenya Revenue Authority KRA.
In December 2021, Keroche was temporarily shut down by the tax man before they entered into a settlement agreement during the last festive season.
Founder Tabitha Karanja refuted claims that workers at the factory are demanding six months salary. She clarified that it is only two months.
She linked the coronavirus pandemic to her woes saying the situation had taken a toll on her venture.
“To be candid, the ripple effect of the disease greatly affected our tax obligation and this resulted in arrears amounting to Sh. 270 million,” she told the daily. “Before the pandemic, we were able to pay the Sh. 200 million (tax) comfortably but we had a slight delay in settling the outstanding amount,” Karanja said.
She confirmed that her company had to be shut by taxman in December last year leading to heavy losses.
“We have weathered the storm and with the goodwill from the KRA, we shall continue to pay our taxes,” she promised.
The troubled Keroche which could not pay sh 500 million as ruled by court has an out of court agreement with the taxman in what is described as an alternative dispute resolution agreement.
