This archive report was first published on 21 August 2019.
Nairobi businessman Humphrey Kariuki has been charged with 21 counts of tax evasion, with allegations that his companies evaded taxes amounting to Ksh.41 billion between 2014 and 2019.
On Tuesday, Kariuki released a statement addressing the allegations, stating that the charges are 'untrue, without merit, fabricated' and intended to tarnish his name.
'I am a law-abiding citizen who believes in the rule of law. The allegations leveled against me are untrue, without merit, fabricated and intended to use the judicial process to tarnish my name,' Kariuki stated.
He denied having any outstanding tax dispute with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), saying that neither he nor any of his companies have any such disputes.
'I affirm that I have no outstanding tax dispute with the Kenya Revenue Authority, and that I do not manage any company that has a tax dispute with the KRA. Therefore any allegation linking me to tax evasion is false and is made in bad faith,' he said.
Kariuki also claimed that his business interests outside the country, which he only spends less than 130 days annually in Kenya, could be the reason behind the charges, suggesting that they may be motivated by 'jealousy' from certain elements.
'Due to my business interests outside the country, I am in Kenya for less than 130 days a year. Most of my time is committed to my international ventures, which appear to have attracted jealousy from certain quarters, who are hell-bent on ensuring that they ruin my business by tarnishing my character and reputation through adverse and orchestrated media publicity and implication with offences that I am a stranger to,' Kariuki said.
He also maintained that he is not involved in the operations of Africa Spirits Limited, an alcoholic drinks manufacturing firm that has been linked to him.
'I have confirmed both to the DPP and DCI the undisputable fact that I am not involved in the management of the said Africa Spirits Limited, and play no role in its executive management, and day-to-day operations, whatsoever,' he said.
On Monday, Kariuki was charged alongside Stuart Geraid, Simon Maundu, Africa Spirits Limited, and Wow Beverages Limited, and was released on a cash bail of Ksh.11 million. He was later re-arrested on allegations of possession of unaccustomed ethanol.
