A case in which Tabitha Karanja, the CEO of Keroche Breweries Limited, is facing KSh14.5 billion tax evasion charges has been adjourned.

Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Esther Kimilu was on Monday, October 2 forced to adjourn the case after the prosecution failed to produce two more witnesses to testify.

“I am not happy that the prosecution only called two witnesses. I needed three to four witnesses because I had a whole day to hear the case. It’s an old matter which I need to conclude,” Magistrate Kimilu said.

The disappointed magistrate added: “I was free today because I had taken off all matters just to hear this case. Give me a date you think am idle to listen to this case except Tuesday and Friday.”

KRA officer testifies

One of the two who testified and cross-examined was a KRA License Officer.

In her testimony, Fridah Miano told the court that Tabitha was issued with a KRA license in 2016 by a one Gideon Mwiti. “Licenses can be cancelled if there is fraud or the taxpayer is in bankruptcy,” she said.

Miano also told the court that she was not aware that Tabitha’s license had been cancelled since by the tie she was leaving the department, it was still running.

Keroche charges

Tabitha is accused of orchestrating tax evasion at the Naivasha-based beer maker. That between February 20, 2025 and January 20, 2016, she unlawfully made incorrect statement that reduced their exercise duty returns by KSh3.6 billion.

She is also accused of under-declaring production volumes at the brewery, as well as unlawfully omitting their VAT returns, affecting their VAT liability by KSh196 million.