This archive report was first published on 20 September 2019.
On September 20, 2019, Senior Principal Magistrate Kennedy Cheruiyot ruled in favor of businessman Humphrey Kariuki, allowing him to travel abroad for urgent business engagements.
Mr. Kariuki, the owner of Africa Spirits Limited, had been charged with tax evasion amounting to Sh41 billion and had deposited his Kenyan and Cypriot passports as a condition for his release on bail.
However, Mr. Kariuki's lawyer, Dennis Mare, argued that his client had demonstrated willingness to cooperate with the court and attend all court sessions, proving he had no intention of fleeing the country.
Magistrate Cheruiyot agreed with the submissions and ordered the release of Mr. Kariuki's passports, stating, "He is allowed to travel to the US, Gabon and Switzerland to attend to his businesses."
The court also directed Mr. Kariuki to provide a surety that will guarantee his return to court.
