Stop oppressing investors, Raila urges State agencies
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui have thrown their weight behind Keroche Breweries in the ongoing war between the Naivasha based company and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
The two noted that local investors should be supported and accused KRA of using tax to oppress local investors leading to job losses and investments.
Their sentiments emerged over the weekend during the burial of Tecra Wangari Muigai, the heiress to the Keroche firm, who was laid to rest at her parents’ home in Karai, Naivasha.
Tecra was the daughter of Keroche proprietors Tabitha and Joseph Karanja, the managing director and chairman respectively.
A suspect, Omar Lali Omar, who was the deceased’s lover has since been arrested in connection with the death of Tecra, who was the company’s Strategy and Innovation director.
Others who attended the burial were Senators James Orengo and Moses Wetang’ula, MPs Jane Kihara (Naivasha), Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris and Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua.
Raila said it was wrong and immoral for institutions to use tax to bring down local companies that employ hundreds.
He promised to stand with the Keroche family during their difficult time after losing a daughter and fighting court battles with KRA over Sh9 billion tax.
“The government should support local investors who have used billions to construct such companies and KRA should not use its muscles to oppress investors,” he said.
Difficult time
On the death, he likened the death of Tecra to that of his son Fidel five years ago, terming it as the most difficult moment for him and his family.
“It’s very painful for a parent to lose a child and I take this opportunity to condole with the family at this very painful and difficult times,” he said.
There was a light moment when Raila told the mourners that the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) had not stopped, but was on half time and would continue once the Covid-19 crisis was over.
“Reggae has not stopped as some people want to believe and we shall definitely hit the ground running after we manage to contain this pandemic,” he said.
Kinyajui pledged his county’s support for Keroche Breweries, an investment he termed as the pride of area residents.
He warned that antagonising local investors would scare away potential ones from the country.
“We shall stand with the Karanjas during this hard times when all forces are unfairly targeting them for ulterior motives and I say pole sana for the loss of your daughter,” he said.
Others who spoke were former chairperson Maendeleo ya Wanawake Zipporah Kittony who descried Tecra as a“darling of the family”.
