Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate William Ruto now says the shutdown of Keroche Breweries is a political scheme.
Speaking at Bonchari town in Kisii town, Ruto said Azimio and the State have trained their guns against businesses in the country.
He claimed the closure of breweries is because its CEO Tabitha Karanja declined to join the Azimio coalition.
"Ata leo wameenda wakafunga kampuni ya Keroche. Mahali ambapo tuko na wakenya karibu mia nne wanafanya kazi...eti makosa ya mama wa Keroche ni kwa sababu yeye amekataa kuenda Azimio," he said.
This loosely translates to: "Even today they have shut down Keroche breweries. A place where we have almost four hundred workers. The only mistake the Keroche lady did is refusing to join Azimio".
Karanja is a member of Ruto's UDA party and is now seeking the Nakuru senate seat.
It is in that backdrop that the DP pledged to ensure every entrepreneur is protected and their businesses thrive to revive the economy.
He said Keroche is a big business that has saved many Kenyans' livelihoods and has been a steady means of income for families.
" To say that Keroche has been closed because of the political persuasion of mama Keroche is the worst insult and the worst form of impunity in Kenya," he added.
The UDA leader urged the residents of Kisii to vote for his government saying all businesses will guaranteed survival.
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on Tuesday closed down the Naivasha- based company.
CEO Karanja said the Authority was being used to fight her and her company politically.
“KRA is under tremendous pressure to place Keroche Breweries under existential jeopardy in order to retaliate against me for my interest in offering political leadership in Nakuru,” she said.
The closure marks the sixth time since the year began.
With the Authority's directives, over 400 workers faced the sack while beer worth over Sh350m could go to waste.
