Tabitha Karanja, the owner of Keroche Breweries in Naivasha, has decided to enter politics after more than 30 years in business.
After months of deliberation, Tabitha, as she is affectionately called, has decided to run for the Senatorial seat in Nakuru County in 2022.
After receiving the Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship in 2015, the well-known entrepreneur shot to prominence.
President Mwai Kibaki awarded the 57-year-old, who was also the creator of the Naivasha-based brewery, the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) in 2010.
She is currently battling KRA in court over tax returns that target some of the company’s most well-known brands.
She claimed that after consulting with her family and friends, she had chosen to enter the crowded campaign for the seat.
Karanja told the reporters in Naivasha that she had everything she needed to run for the Senate seat now held by Senator Susan Kihika.
“I feel it’s time I gave this seat a shot,” she added. “We’ve been in talks with close friends for months and I feel it’s time I gave this seat a shot.”
Investors have been locked out of the market or mistreated for years, she said, due to tough restrictions and unscrupulous business tactics.
In a recent poll ranking the possible 2022 choice, Governor Lee Kinyanjui scored 38.6% of the vote, followed by Kihika with 30%.
Former Governor Kinuthia Mbugua with 11.4 percent.
Former Senator James Mungai took the lead with 34% of the vote, followed by Hillary Singei (27.3%) and Mwai Gachunga (17.3%).
