This archive report was first published on 16 August 2019.
On August 9, the government had issued orders to seize the assets of Humphrey Kariuki and his companies, Africa Spirits Limited and Wow Beverages Limited. However, a court has now intervened, stopping the government from taking any further action.
According to a report, Chief Inspector Peter Oruko had been given orders to search buildings, ships, aircraft, vehicles, companies, and boxes belonging to Kariuki and the two companies. The petitioners argued that the court erred in granting permanent orders to seize, restrain, detain, and freeze the properties without hearing the parties affected by the order.
The court's decision comes as Kariuki and other directors of Wow Beverages Limited face Sh41.5 billion tax evasion charges. A hearing is scheduled for August 21.