Tabitha Karanja recalls relationship with Raila before joining UDA

Keroche CEO Tabitha Karanja has narrated the talks they held with ODM Party leader Raila Odinga before joining UDA.

When she announced her intentions to run for the Nakuru senate seat, most people thought she would contest for the seat under Azimio la Umoja movement since they have been friends with Raila for a long time.

On her Twitter handle, Karanja said she has had been friends with Raila and lawyer James Orengo for over two decades.

"I met Raila and he advised me to wait until February before I decide on which party to vie on," she said.

"We should value people’s relationships that they have built over two decades."

She also said she talked to Orengo who is her best friend about the same and he told her to keep on consulting as they weigh the situation.

"He told me that I should keep on consulting," she said.

But she says she never followed up on the matter.

The ODM boss has on several occasions paid homage to her. Notably, Raila is the one who laid the foundation stone for her Naivasha-based brewery.

Raila's allies, led by Orengo, have also represented Karanja in various legal battles involving tax issues.

This week the CEO requested Kenya Revenue Authority to give them an 18-month grace period to pay all its tax arrears.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Karanja said the requested period of uninterrupted operation is enough to clear the outstanding Sh832 million tax arrears.

"Our humble appeal to the Commissioner-General is to kindly but urgently re-open our plant to prevent huge losses. We would wish to resume production, sales and distribution of our products to protect and safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of Kenyans employed by the company both directly and indirectly."

She has requested a meeting with the KRA boss to discuss her proposed payment plan.

Karanja said the timing and demands by Authority had not allowed the company to pay its arrears hence the closure.

She insists the dispute between KRA and Keroche Breweries is a business war based on competition but also claims political divides have some influence.