Azimio leader Raila Odinga has come out to defend Keroche Breweries Limited after the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) shut it down due to default in payment of tax arrears.
Speaking on Friday in Thika, Odinga asked the government to refrain from enacting harsh penalties that would damage important business operators in the name of collecting taxes.
According to Odinga, the State should control taxes and give investors favorable tax payment regulations that enable them to comply.
“It is not right to become punitive in terms of taxes. If taxes are too high, there is a tendency to evade them, but if they are low and manageable, people will pay. Don’t close a business because the owner has defaulted in paying taxes,” Odinga stated.
“That is why am telling them, let Keroche go don’t kill Keroche. If she cannot pay today, let her pay tomorrow. Spread out the payment. She is a Kenyan… Where can she run away to?” Raila said.
