This archive report was first published on 20 August 2019.
On August 20, 2019, businessman Humphrey Kariuki was re-arrested after posting cash bail of Sh11 million and securing his release.
He had been charged with 21 counts, including tax evasion, possession of excisable goods affixed with counterfeit stamps, and failure to pay taxes amounting to Sh17.7 billion between February 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018.
Mr. Kariuki claimed that he spends less than 130 days a year in the country and the rest of the year abroad, committed to his international ventures.
He stated that he has financed many ventures, which collectively pay substantial taxes, and that employment created has a positive impact on many Kenyan families and businesses.
Mr. Kariuki also claimed to be a patriotic and law-abiding citizen, who has never been involved in any criminal activity.
He stated, 'I am a patriotic and law-abiding citizen, who has never been involved in any criminal activity. As an entrepreneur, I invest in businesses across the world and in all those countries I have never been accused of any wrongdoing, although I am not directly involved in the management of these businesses.'
The court heard that the accused persons were found in possession of reels of counterfeit excise stamps and thousands of assorted bottles of spirits affixed with counterfeit stamps.
Other accused persons, including Wow Beverages directors Stuart Gerald Herd and Simon Maundu, a former production manager at Africa Spirits, Mr. Robert Thinji Muriithi, Mr. Peter Njenga Kuria, and Kepha Githu Gakure, had denied the charges last week and were released on similar bail terms.
The pre-trial will be held on September 2.
