The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Commissioner Githii Mburu has been sued by Keroche Breweries in court once more for disobeying a High Court decision to reopen the Naivasha factory.
The High Court gave instructions enabling the company to reopen on July 14, 2022, subject to the brewer paying Sh8 million to the KRA on the 30th of each month until the next hearing, which was set for September 22, 2022.
“An order be and is hereby issued that the Defendant/Respondent, taxman, its officers, agencies, associates to unseal the packaging line, the stores and to reactivate the Exercisable Goods Management System (EGMS) in the Applicant’s Keroche Breweries processing plant in Naivasha and to generally allow the applicant to carry on business forthwith,” the court ruling read.
On May 16, 2022, Tabitha Karanja Keroche addressed the media during the announcement of Susan Kihika’s running mate for governor in 2022.
On May 16, 2022, Tabitha Karanja Keroche addressed the media during the announcement of Susan Kihika’s running mate for governor in 2022.
“Within 7 days of the applicant to pay the respondent Sh8 million as the first installment on the tax arrears. And thereafter to pay a similar sum on the 30th day after such payment until the next hearing date,” the order read.
Although the courts did not certify any of the orders granted, the taxman nonetheless proceeded to court to challenge the orders.
Even though the brewery has court orders, it has not yet reopened. If the matter is not heard soon, according to court officials for Keroche, KRA would continue to flout the orders.
Since the tax man ordered the closure of the company, more than 300 employees have been on unpaid leave due to the closure of the brewery.
“The recent closure by KRA has drained all our resources and unfortunately if nothing is done in the next seven days, we will be forced to drain down all the beer and lay down over 250 direct employees and thousands within our nationwide distribution network,” Karanja said.
