Raila defends Keroche Breweries in tax battle with KRA

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party presidential candidate Raila Odinga has come to the defence of Keroche Breweries Limited after the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) shut down the beer manufacturer over default in payment of tax arrears.

Odinga said the State should regulate taxes and accord investors good tax payment laws that allow them to be compliant.

“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?"

The Naivasha-based Company which was recently shut by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) over unsettled taxes, Odinga major revenue generator and source of employment

He went on to say that the move by the State to shut the company not only disables the company but also affects Kenyans. “Don’t do it because if you close a business, you are not only killing the investor but you are also killing the employees,” he noted.

At the same time, while drumming up support for the Azimio faction, Odinga intimated that his administration would protect the private business sector and come up with good tax laws that would help investors and business people to be tax compliant.