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Politics

Raila, Ruto Join Kenyans in Mourning Billionaire’s Daughter

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President, William Ruto and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga have this morning joined other Kenyans in condoling with the family of Keroche Breweries Ltd. CEO, Tabitha Karanja.

The duo have mourned the death of the business family’s daughter, Tecra Muigai Karanja.

Decra passed on Saturday  May 2, 2020 after being involved in a fatal accident.

The Deputy President took to his twitter account to condole the family during a difficult and sad moment of losing a young and hardworking citizen.

“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the Keroche Breweries Chairman Joseph Karanja and CEO Tabitha Karanja following the death of your daughter, Tecra Muigai Karanja.”

Raila in his message urged the Karanja’s to accept deep condolences from him and Mama Ida, his wife.

Raila prayed that God grants the bereaved family strength and courage to bear the loss.

“Dear Joseph and Tabitha Karanja, Please accept deep condolences from @IdaOdinga and I on the passing of your daughter Tecra Muigai. May the Lord grant you strength and courage to bear the loss. May Tecra’s Soul Rest In Eternal Peace,” Raila tweeted.

The death of Tecra adds more misery to the CEO and owners of the Keroche Breweries Ltd who are battling with court cases against KRA over alleged unpaid billions of taxes. The family, however, has requested the public to give them privacy during this time when they are mourning their daughter.

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Crime & Investigations

Keroche Breweries owners released on Ksh.12M cash bail

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

A Nairobi court has freed Keroche Breweries owners Tabitha Karanja and husband Joseph Karanja on Sh10 million and Sh 2 million cash bail respectively after denying Sh14.4b tax fraud charges.

The Court has given them seven days to deposit the cash bail in court.

Appearing before Nairobi Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi, Mrs. Karanja pleaded not guilty on behalf of Keroche Breweries.

The court noted that the couple’s bail terms would be different taking into consideration Mr. Karanja’s health.

“Joseph Karanja is to pay cash bail Ksh. 2million within seven days while Mrs. Karanja should pay Ksh. 10million immediately or deposit Ksh. ” Magistrate Andayi said.

The third accused– Keroche Breweries– was ordered to pay Ksh. 10million cash bail within seven days failure to which all the directors will be arrested.

The Magistrate added that the couple are investors of the country and there was no evidence showing that they pose a flight risk.

He however noted that if they wish to travel they will have to confirm with the court and ensure it does not affect subsequent hearings.

Earlier, the Prosecution had declared that they would not oppose their release on bail but asked that the court to consider the Ksh. 14billion under investigation.

“Consider if found guilty the sentence is of a fine double the tax evaded or to an imprisonment of ten years or both,” Alexander Muteti said.

He further asked the court to direct that the two surrender their passports and not leave court jurisdiction.

According to him, the accused persons have been aware that the taxman required clarification on the matter as they were summoned to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) offices.

“She (Mrs. Karanja) made an appearance before KRA and as per the letter before the court, KRA went out of their way to engage them,” the Prosecutor added.

He insisted on the gravity of the offence saying it is a condition the court should consider when setting bail.

RELEASED ON HEALTH REASONS

However, Senior Counsel James Orengo who is representing Keroche, said the Ksh. 14billion is in dispute and there is a statutory process for settling any dispute in relation to tax demand.

The advocate noted that the company directors are presumed innocent and there was no evidence tabled in court showing that the Ksh. 14billion be taken into account in determining bail.

He further opposed the Prosecution’s request to have the couple deposit travel documents saying it won’t be necessary because of the enterprise they run.

The lawyer also revealed that Mr. Karanja cannot be kept in custody due to health reasons.

“He has recently undergone a surgery…police were able to release him before 10 last night (Thursday). Despite his medical condition and being granted a free bond he has been able to appear in court,” Orengo said.

The case will be mentioned on September 2 and the pre-trial hearing on September 24.

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Crime & Investigations

Keroche Director Joseph Karanja released

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Keroche Breweries Limited Director Joseph Karanja has been released from police custody on request by his doctor. His wife Tabitha Karanja will be arraigned tomorrow Friday.

Karen Hospital had advised the Directorate of Criminal Investigations ( DCI) against detaining Joseph Karanja in a police cell.

In a letter issued on Thursday 22 August, 2019, the hospital says he has a serious heart condition.

According to Dr Gikonyo of Karen Hospital, Joseph Karanja has undergone a life saving surgery and keeping him under police custody will greatly endanger his life.

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Crime & Investigations

Karen Hospital warns DCI against detaining Keroche Breweries Director

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Karen Hospital has advised the Directorate of Criminal Investigations ( DCI) against detaining Keroche Breweries Director Joseph Karanja in a police cell.

In a letter issued on Thursday 22 August, 2019, the hospital says he has a serious heart condition.

According to Dr Gikonyo of Karen Hospital, Joseph Karanja has undergone a life saving surgery and keeping him under police custody will greatly endanger his life.

Joseph Karanja and his wife Tabitha Karanja were on Thursday afternoon arrested over alleged Sh14.4b tax evasion following orders from the Director of Public  Prosecutions Noordin Haji.

The public prosecutor had on Wednesday ordered the arrest of Keroche Breweries Limited proprietors over allegations of Sh14 billion tax fraud.

The entrepreneurs through their lawyer James Orengo had on Thursday morning moved to court seeking to stop DPP Noordin Haji from prosecuting them for 10 counts of tax evasion.

The couple spent the night holed up in their office in Naivasha as DCI and KRA officers camped at the gate.

Thursday afternoon, court issued a search and arrest warrant to DCI officers seeking to arrest the couple who had locked themselves in their factory in Naivasha.

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Politics

How Raila helped Keroche Owners

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Sometime back, Keroche borrowed Ksh 5 billion from
Barclays Bank of Kenya to modernize its factory. With such a loan, it’s always a good practice for the bank to require some political assurance as security for its investment.

Tabitha Karanja wrote to Pres. Kibaki to honour an invite and open modernized factory on completion. Kibaki agreed to be the guest of honour.

Powerful people in State House saw this schedule on the then President Kibaki’s itinerary. They didn’t like it. Tabitha was a threat to their wealth.

That opening of Keroche’s new factory by Kibaki was silently removed from the President’s itinerary. Tabitha was not aware.

The late Jeremiah Kiereini together with Ministers Amos Kimunya and the late John Michuki teamed up to stop Tabitha. Mrs. Kimunya was a major distributor of EABL products while Kiereini was a key shareholder of the same.

Michuki hated new money influences in Kiukuyuland.

Tabitha Karanja realized she was alone when she tried to confirm with the State House comptroller Hyslop Ipu. Mr. Ipu just indicated to Tabitha, “I am not aware of what happened and can’t confirm the president’s availability.”

Tabitha was then in front of State House asking for a personal audience with President Kibaki to plead her case. She was driving herself.

Tabitha Karanja literally cried in her car as she made calls to all the powerful people close to Kibaki, none who could rescue her. Confused and teary, she was determined to fight on. So she thought of what to do. In the meantime, the hawk-eyed GSU guarding State House chased her from the gates.

She had just driven from Naivasha to State House and was blocked from seeing President Kibaki who was in?

The then President Kibaki’s PA Joe Wanjui confirmed receiving her invite but someone powerful had blocked her from getting the factory opened by President Kibaki.

Realizing that Kibaki’s people had played her, she got in touch with one of her employees who knew Jakoyo Midiwo and asked for an audience with Raila.

Tabitha didn’t have access to Raila then.

Jakoyo linked her to Raila. Raila was then not well aware of what Keroche was.

Tabitha met Jakoyo at Serena Hotel and Jakoyo drove her to Karen’s residence of Raila.

On the day of the unveiling of the new factory, Raila was also to grace an event in Kisumu.

But he agreed to pass by.

He asked if they had a helipad as he could pass by on his way to Kisumu. He told them that he could spend a maximum of 15 minutes. It was 48 hours to the d-day

Sensing “mwanya”, Tabitha asked Raila what he needed for the helipad as she can prepare that.

Tabitha Karanja prepared a helipad for Raila’s chopper within 36 hours.

Raila graced the occasion and instead of spending only 15 minutes, spent 3 hours. Raila loved the investment

That’s where the friendship of Raila Odinga and Tabitha Karanja emanated from. That’s how Tabitha knew and became friends to Raila.

Today, Keroche has a factory capable of producing 24,000 crates of beer or 600,000 beers in a single day.

The competitor is not happy with this. EABL is doing all it can and now using the DCI and ODPP to sabotage it.

To get into the club of billionaires in Kikiyuland, you have to be oathed. Tabitha Karanja is growing balls without being oathed into this club.

She has to be contained. Unfortunate. So unfortunate!!!

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Crime & Investigations

DPP orders immediate arrest of Keroche Breweries boss

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has ordered the immediate arrest of Keroche Breweries CEO Tabitha Karanja.

Haji also ordered the arrest of Tabitha’s husband, Joseph Karanja, who is also a director at the alcohol manufacturer.

The DPP said Kericho industries were wanted over tax fraud.

More to follow………

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