Kenyan tycoon with business interests in Uganda appears in court over tax evasion

Almost a month after being summoned to answer to several charges linked to his business empire, Kenyan businessman Humphrey Kariuki has presented himself to authorities in Kenya after days of hiding.

On Monday, Kariuki appeared at Kenyan’s Milimani Law Courts in the company of Lawyer Kioko Kilukumi to answer to charges levelled against him.

The billionaire and 10 others from Wow beverages and Africa Spirits are accused of among others evading tax amounting to over KSh41 billion.

Kenya’s director of public prosecution Noordin Haji said early this month that he has gathered enough evidence to prosecute Humphrey Kariuki Ndegwa and Stuart Gerald (Directors WOW beverages), Peter Njenga Kuria (Director Africa Spirits), Robert Thinji Murithi (Director WOW beverages, Geofrey Kinoti (Director Africa Spirits).

Others to face the seven separate charges include Sethu Prabhu (Assistant production manager Africa Spirits), Eric Nzomba (Driver), Kepha Gakure (Tax manager Africa Spirits).

Besides the tax evasion claims, DPP says the seven should be charged with being in possession of excisable goods affixed with counterfeit excise stamps, and fraud.

“KRA audit has revealed that Africa Spirits/WOW beverages had evaded payment of tax in the amount of over KSh41 billion between the period of 2014 and 2019,” said Haji.

“In addition, the audit revealed that there was evidence of tampering with the production system at the Africa Spirits factory that led to the submission of false declaration to KRA,” he adds.

Humphrey Kariuki chaired Janus Continental Group, which has an interest in the energy, real estate, hospitality and conservation matters.

The group has an interest in key energy projects in Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, and Mozambique as well as dozens of others in incubation.

Its Dalbit Petroleum services the aviation, mining, manufacturing, transport and humanitarian sectors in the African region.

A statement signed by Hellen Akello, Chief Human Resource Officer Janus Continental Group said Kariuki stepped down as the chair of the board in light of development in the investigation process. “Humphrey Kariuki explained that this will allow him to focus his efforts on challenging claims in the courts,” reads a statement by the group to newsrooms.

“In the meantime, the Board has come to the decision that Managing Director Margaret Mbaka shall be stepping in as Acting Chair of the Board, with support of Chief Executive Officer Rikin Shah.”

Kariuki’s bank accounts have however been frozen following court order.