Step out of your comfort zone and start taking risks, it pays off

Give us a brief background of yourself

I founded Keroche Breweries 19 years ago. Besides that, I am a wife and a mother of four. My husband, Joseph Karanja, and I previously ran a hardware shop. As we went on with our business, I realised that everything we sold was manufactured and that is where success in business really was.

Since we were not sure what to venture into, we did a six month’s survey and found that there was an imbalance in the liquor market. The lower market segment had been completely neglected. This had seen lower-income earners take to unhygienic brews.

We decided to cater for this market by producing high quality yet affordable alcoholic drinks.  In 1997, we started producing fortified wines with a capital of Sh200,000. Within five years, our product range had grown to three new brands and production had grown a hundredfold.

What were you doing at 21?

I was working at the Ministry of Tourism and at the same time studying accountancy through an internal training scheme sponsored by the ministry.

Which one of your personal attributes do you owe your success to?

I believe in myself. I also work very hard and I got the inner determination to achieve what I set out to do.  I am also driven by my belief in homegrown enterprises and believe in “Made in Kenya” products.

What one advice would you give a young person who looks up to you?

I would advise them to be ready to pursue their dreams, to believe in themselves, to focus and to work very hard to achieve their goals.

What really inspired you, a woman, to start a beer brewing business in an industry where one entity had enjoyed a monopoly?

I was driven by focus to ensure that all Kenyans, in the upper, middle or lower income groups, were provided with quality choices; and that it was their right to choose and make decisions on their preferred brands. That is why I made the decision to break a monopoly that was jealously guarded. This did not come easily. I fought battles in the courts, the market, and on the floor of Parliament, where MPs took us to task over malicious rumors and smear campaigns surrounding our products. And everywhere we fought, we got victory.

Share some of the most recent achievements at Keroche Breweries?

In March 2015, we commissioned a new multi-billion, ultra-modern, world class and high-tech expansion of the brewing plant in Naivasha.

Valued at Sh5 billion, the new plant has increased our production to 10 times and can produce 600,000 bottles per day. This growth has firmly established Keroche Breweries as the second largest brewery in Kenya and the fastest growing brewing enterprise in Africa.

Any hidden talents?

I can act and write plays. When I was in school, I used to write plays for our drama team and be part of the actors. We competed at all levels and even performed at national level.

Who is your mentor?

Myself. I push myself every day because I always want to make sure that my today is better than my yesterday.

Your Top Five secrets to success

• Focus and hard work

• Getting out

of the comfort zone and taking big but well calculated risks.

• Belief and faith in self

• Humility

• Trust in God

Which is the most interesting book that you have read so far?

How Rich Countries Got Rich and Why Poor Countries Stay Poor by Erik S.

-Interview by Millicent Mwololo