Tabitha Karanja's Keroche Breweries has announced plans to expand its young mentorship programme to other parts of the continent as part of supporting emerging young entrepreneurs. The Keroche Foundation has set aside Sh50 million this year as part of empowering and connecting the group with masters of industry, experts and consultants.
The announcement was made on August 30th when nine entrepreneurs visited the Naivasha-based company. During the visit, the mentees took the chance to exchange ideas with the company’s founder and chief executive office, Tabitha Karanja, one of Africa's leading women entrepreneurs who recently won the Entrepreneurial Excellence in Africa Award.
Keroche Foundation CEO Njoki Karuoya said that the company was keen to mentor more young entrepreneurs. She said that the number had increased from six last year to nine with plans to add the number in the coming years.
“Keroche Breweries will spend Sh50 million this year in supporting the nine mentees in this mentorship programme that seeks to harness their skills,” she said. Njoki said that plans were underway to expand the mentorship programme to neighbouring countries.
Under the programme, the mentees will meet expert coaches and consultants in various fields who will mentor them. She added that the experts will share practical knowledge and impart critical lessons based on their extensive experiences and provide valuable networking.
The Keroche Foundation is the brainchild of Keroche Breweries CEO, Tabitha Karanja, whose 18 year journey to create the first truly Kenyan owned beer manufacturer has become a celebrated benchmark for locally owned businesses in Kenya and Africa.
Under Tabitha’s patronage, Keroche Foundation will address the knowledge and experience gap that confronts young Kenyan entrepreneurs. An in-depth curriculum designed by experts guides the programme through which young entrepreneurs are mentored, inspired, connected and guided towards overcoming personal and business challenges that plague young businesses.