Keroche Breweries CEO Tabitha Karanja has officially thrown her hat in the 2022 political ring, launching a bid to become the next Senator of Nakuru County.
The CEO had reportedly been mulling a bid in recent months. Confirming that she was indeed in the race, Karanja on Tuesday, November 9 stated that she no longer wanted to watch from the sidelines.
She explained her desire to legislate policies that attract investors and drive economic growth and job creation. Her firm, Kenya’s second-largest alcoholic drinks manufacturer, is notably headquartered in Nakuru County, in Naivasha.
Karanja however failed to disclose which political vehicle she planned on using for her stab at the Senate.
“I want to influence policies from the front row at the Senate. I’ve been toying with the idea for years, but I’m now ready to go for it. For years, I have shied off politics to concentrate on business but time is ripe for me to introduce policies that will support investors.”
READ>>2022: 5 Celebrities Gunning for Top Seats
“I have new business ideas that can spur this country ahead economically and when the time is right, I’ll name my political vehicle,” she stated.
The current Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika is intent on capturing the Governor’s seat in 2022 on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.
Karanja founded Keroche with her husband John Karanja in 1997 as a fortified wine maker. It grew to become a homegrown brand eating into the market share of Diageo-controlled East African Breweries Limited (EABL).
Keroche’s growth, coupled with its battles with competitors and the taxman earned Karanja various accolades for her steely determination and business acumen. In a feature, Forbes Africa described her as ‘The Iron Lady of Beer’.
Keroche’s flagship brand is Summit Lager. Other well-known products in its range include Summit Malt, KB Lager, Vienna Ice and its recently introduced ‘X’ beer.
READ>>Keroche Eyes High-End Market With New ‘X’ Beer
