This archive report was first published on 9 August 2019.
On August 9, 2019, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji approved the prosecution of tycoon Humphrey Kariuki following an investigation into alleged tax evasion running into billions of shillings.
Haji directed Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti to arrest Kariuki and eight other people, including directors of Africa Spirits Ltd and WOW Beverages Ltd.
The DPP said a Kenya Revenue Authority audit had revealed that Africa Spirits Ltd had evaded paying Sh41.5 billion in taxes between 2014 and 2019.
Seven charges were detailed against the suspects, including failure to pay tax, forgery, and being in possession of uncustomed goods.
Those facing arrest include Peter Njenga Kuria, Stuart Gerald Herd, Robert Murithi, and Geoffrey Kaaria, among others.
According to Haji, there was sufficient evidence to charge the suspects, and it was in the public interest to do so.
“The suspects will be charged with being in possession of uncustomed goods contrary to Section 200 (d) (iii) of the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004,” he said.
Other charges include conspiracy to contravene Section 193 as read with Section 203 (e) of the Act and being in possession of counterfeit excise stamps contrary to Section 40 as read with Section 41 of the Excise Duty Act, 2015.
A multi-agency team comprising of officers from the DCI and KRA conducted a joint operation in the presence of the firms’ employees and found a consignment of ethanol, 880 reels of fake excise stamps, and 41,703 cartons of alcoholic drinks affixed with counterfeit excise stamps.
