This archive report was first published on 14 August 2019.
On August 14, 2019, embattled billionaire Humphrey Kariuki dissociated himself from the management of Africa Spirits, an alcoholic beverage maker accused of Sh41 billion tax fraud.
Through his London-based lawyers, Schillings, Kariuki claimed that Africa Spirits is not one of the companies owned by the Janus Continental Group (JCG), which he chairs.
However, in a separate statement, JCG said Kariuki had recently stepped down as chair of the board of the group and its associate businesses, citing his need to focus on challenging the claims in court.
Africa Spirits is among the businesses owned under JCG, which also includes The HUB, a high-end shopping mall in Karen that had been targeted for seizure by the prosecution in the fraud case.
Assets owned by Dalbit Petroleum, a company co-owned by Kariuki and Margaret Mbaka, are also targeted for seizure, including nine vehicles.
Kenya would need to write to the UK, or any other country Kariuki might be in, to formally hand him over to face criminal charges, as an arrest warrant has been issued.
