Tabitha Karanja is crying, but who will come to her rescue?

Keroche Breweries CEO Tabitha Karanja. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

I watched in pain as Keroche boss Tabitha Karanja poured out her frustrations to the public. The operations of her once thriving business have grounded to a halt. Two hundred and fifty jobs are at stake.

Beer worth Sh512m that was under fermentation by the time her business was brought to a halt is due to be destroyed. That is if things don’t change. Tens of suppliers are also staring at huge losses. It is truly painful. At the height of its operations, Keroche Breweries had carved a niche for itself. First, for being the first homegrown beer manufacturer founded by a Kenyan. But most importantly for taking on known global giants that had enjoyed the monopoly of beer supply.