High Court Faults DCI Role In Tax Evasion Investigations As Humphrey Kariuki Is Allowed To Continue Manufacturing Alcohol

Businessman Humphrey Kariuki is back in business after a court yesterday concluded the Director Of Criminal Investigation (DCI) assumed the role of the Kenya Revenue  Authority (KRA) and unfroze the billionaires accounts.

On the 16th of August, the DCI obtained orders that froze the bank accounts of 9 companies linked to the tycoon, that is; Africa Spirits Limited (ASL), Wow Beverages Limited, Dalbit Petroleum Limited, Rhine Hart Limited, Section Investments Limited, Janus Continental Group Limited, Belgravia Construction Limited, Azalea Holdings Limited and Kisima Management Company Limited.

Cecil Miller, the legal council representing the nine companies asked justice Luka Kimaru to do away with the orders, noting that the taxman together with other relevant government agencies are the only legally statutory bodies enabled to handle issues relating to tax and recovery of assets bought using proceeds from fraud.

Mr Kimaru while noting the law is very clear on the role of the DCI and the taxman quashed the freeze orders giving the tycoon leeway to continue manufacturing and processing alcohol.

The billionaire has been accused of tax evasion amounting up to Ksh41 billion which he has denied.