Tabitha Mukami Karanja, born on August 29, 1964, is one of Kenya’s most influential entrepreneurs and industrialists.
Renowned for her groundbreaking work in the brewing industry, she is the founder and CEO of Keroche Breweries, a company that has redefined local ownership in a sector traditionally dominated by multinationals.
Her achievements underscore her role as a leader in economic development and an advocate for women’s empowerment in Kenya.
Growing up as one of ten children, Tabitha was raised by parents who believed in the transformative power of education.
Despite limited financial resources, her father, a farmer, and her mother, a government driver, ensured that their children attended school.
This commitment to education fostered in Tabitha a strong work ethic and an unyielding determination to excel, traits that would later drive her success.
In 1997, Tabitha and her husband, Joseph Muigai Karanja, co-founded Keroche Breweries, breaking barriers by establishing Kenya’s first large brewery owned outside the multinational sphere.
This bold move was a turning point in the country’s brewing industry. Today, Keroche Breweries commands 20% of the Kenyan beer market, showcasing its influence and the success of its locally crafted products.
Under Tabitha’s visionary leadership, the company expanded its product offerings to include a variety of alcoholic beverages, such as ready-to-drink gin, vodka, and the widely popular Summit beer brand.
In 2015, Keroche Breweries invested KSh5 billion (approximately US$55.5 million) in a major expansion project, which increased production capacity tenfold, from 60,000 to 600,000 bottles daily. This monumental growth cemented Keroche’s position as a key player in the African brewing industry.
Tabitha’s contributions to business have not gone unnoticed. In 2014, she was honored as Businesswoman of the Year by CNBC Africa, a testament to her trailblazing impact in the corporate world.
In 2022, Tabitha expanded her influence into the political realm by winning the Nakuru County Senatorial seat under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
Garnering an impressive 442,864 votes, her victory signaled the public’s trust in her leadership and vision for Kenya’s future.
Tabitha Karanja’s journey from modest beginnings to becoming a prominent entrepreneur and politician is a story of resilience, innovation, and determination.
Her leadership continues to inspire countless Africans, proving that with vision and perseverance, it is possible to overcome barriers and create lasting impact.
