This archive report was first published on 9 August 2019.
Kenyan billionaire Humphrey Kariuki is facing serious tax evasion charges, amounting to a staggering Sh41 billion.
On Thursday, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji approved tax evasion charges against Kariuki, following an audit by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) that revealed Africa Spirits Limited/WOW Beverages Limited evaded payment of tax totaling Sh41,539,038,448 between 2014 and 2019.
According to DPP Haji, the audit established that Kariuki's company had been involved in a range of illicit activities, including fraud, being in possession of unaccustomed goods, and failure to pay tax.
As a result, Kariuki will be charged alongside eight employees of Africa Spirits Limited, in a case that has been ongoing since February this year.
Earlier this year, a Nairobi court granted orders to freeze 11 bank accounts associated with Kariuki over alleged tax evasion amounting to Sh3 billion.
Police also raided Africa Spirits Limited plant in February, recovering Sh21 million counterfeit excise stamps and 312,000 liters of illicit liquor.
