IEBC clears Keroche CEO Tabitha Karanja to run for Nakuru Senate seat

Keroche Breweries Limited Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tabitha Karanja Keroche has officially been cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to contest for the Nakuru Senatorial seat in the August General Election.

Ms. Karanja made the announcement on her social media on Tuesday as she lauded the commission for having successfully gone through the vetting process.

“Today I have officially been cleared by the @IEBCKenya Nakuru County office as a senatorial candidate under UDA Kenya Kwanza Coalition. This is to thank the IEBC for the smooth process which was thorough and user-friendly,” Keroche wrote on Twitter.

The senatorial aspirant running under the Deputy President William Ruto-led United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party had earlier been turned back from the process for lacking the required documentation for the exercise.

On Monday, she failed to present her UDA nomination certificate and also had a hitch after making an ‘overpayment’ to the commission.

Instead of paying Ksh 25,000 as the stipulated amount for the female candidates, Keroche instead filed a check of Ksh 50,000 made for male aspirants.

“I Visited the IEBC Nakuru County office but Unknowingly I forgot two important documents which are Crucial for clearance: I wrote a bankers cheque with an amount meant for male senatorial candidates instead of female category and I forgot to carry my UDA Nomination Certificate which is in my custody,” wrote on Twitter.

While reassuring her county residents about keeping the county leadership on its toes and making it accountable in regard to the distribution of resources, Ms. Karanja said she would implement projects to help her county.

Citing her vast experience in the manufacturing sector, Keroche added that she would build value addition industries across the county to create employment if elected on August 9.

"I am assuring the people of Nakuru that once elected, I will ably represent you at senate by defending you and devolution. I will therefore champion laws that are favorable to our businesses both large and Small for Nakuru County people and Kenya at large," she noted.