This archive report was first published on 9 July 2020.
Billionaire in Tax Evasion Case Fights for Beer Plants ¶
On July 9, 2020, a court in Kenya heard a case involving billionaire Humphrey Kariuki, who is facing a Sh41 billion tax evasion case.
Mr. Kariuki's lawyers sought to have the court compel the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to hand back to him two beer factories being guarded by police and officers from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
The factories, Wow Beverage Limited (WBL) and Africa Spirits Limited (ASL), were closed down on January 31, 2019, after police and KRA officers took over the premises.
According to the defence lawyers, 10 months have lapsed since the DPP commenced prosecution against Mr. Kariuki and directors of WBL and ASL, and the DPP has not supplied all the nine suspects with evidence to enable them prepare their defence.
The defence lawyers urged the magistrate to compel the DPP to give them statements disclosing how the death of the police officer occurred at the premises of WBL.
They also sought further statements from the DPP on the stolen products since the take-over of the premises by the KRA officers and Police.
State Prosecutor Carol Sigei asked for 90 days to enable investigations on the issues raised by the accused to be carried out, but the defence opposed this and she was ordered to respond within 14 days.
The case was fixed for hearing on August 3, 2020.
