I will not surrender to police, I have no summons - Keroche CEO Tabitha Karanja

Keroche Industries proprietor Tabitha Karanja was last night locked up in her office moments after DPP Noordin Haji ordered her arrest over alleged Sh14 billion tax evasion.

The tycoon, while speaking to Citizen TV on phone at some minutes to 10 p.m, conveyed that she could not leave her office because officers had surrounded the premises.

"I am locked in my office, imagine after working for the past 22 years, paying taxes, creating employment and what I've been reduced to is I cannot get out of my office to go home. They are already out here they have all surrounded my office," she complained.

I will not surrender to police, I was not given a summons - Keroch Breweries owner Tabitha Karanja responds after DPP ordered her arrest over Sh14 billion tax evasion Pulse Live Kenya

Asked whether she would surrender to the officers, the billionaire brewer remained adamant that she would not because she had not received official communication from the DPP on the matter.

"I have not received any letter from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) telling me that I have any tax arrears. I also haven't received any letter from the DPP showing that there are allegations against me...I only learnt about this through WhatsApp messages from friends, investors, concerned customers and other stakeholders in my company. To this moment I still don't believe it is true, I still think it is fake news because I have not been served," she outlined.

Statement from Keroche on Sh14B tax evasion claims

An earlier statement from Keroche Industries outlined that the allegations made by the DPP were false and aimed at intimidating the local business.

The DPP had outlined that three of the company had not remitted taxes for three of its alcohol brands - Crescent Vodka, Viena Ice and Summit beers.

I will not surrender to police, I was not given a summons - Keroch Breweries owner Tabitha Karanja responds after DPP ordered her arrest over Sh14 billion tax evasion ece-auto-gen

The company has owned up to only the claims made on the Viena Ice vodka brand stating that the company pursued the due legal process against KRA and the matter is yet to be settled by the tax appeals tribunal.

Ms Karanja has conveyed disappointment that the government would frustrate a local business with such damning and unfair accusations.