Court Frees Fraud Billionaire Humphrey Kariuki

Nairobi billionaire businessman Humphrey Kariuki freed on Sh10m cash bail after denying Sh41b tax evasion charges.

Barely a month after being summoned to answer to several charges linked to his business empire, businessman Humphrey Kariuki has resurfaced. On Monday, the composed billionaire appeared at the Milimani Law Courts seen in the company of Lawyer Kioko Kilukumi to answer to charges l tax evasion charges.

The billionaire and 10 others mainly drawn from Wow beverages and Africa Spirits are accused of among other things, evading tax amounting to over Sh41 billion.

The Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji said early this month he had 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).

Until the onset of the cases, 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 business portfolio includes Dalbit Petroleum Services, aviation, mining, manufacturing, transport and humanitarian sectors in the African region.

A statement signed by Janus Continental Group Chief Human Resource Officer  Hellen Akello,  said Kariuki stepped down as the chair of the board in light of development in the investigation process.