Humphrey Kariuki re-arrested after release on Ksh.11M cash bail

Nairobi businessman Humphrey Kariuki was Monday evening re-arrested moments after he was charged with 21 counts of tax evasion and released on a cash bail of Ksh.11 million.

Citizen Digital understands that Kariuki was apprehended over alleged illegal importation of ethanol at his Thika-based alcoholic drinks manufacturing firm, African Spirits Limited

The tycoon is expected to be arraigned again on Tuesday.

Appearing before Magistrate Francis Andayi, Kariuki faced 21 counts of evading taxes amounting to Ksh.41 billion between 2014 and 2019.

The charges were contained in three files, all of which he denied.

He was released on a cash bail of Ksh.10 million for the first file and Ksh.500,000 each on the second and third case files.

Magistrate Andayi further directed that Kariuki deposit his travel documents with the court.

He presented himself in court on Monday, nearly two weeks after a Nairobi magistrate court issued summons against him.

A search mounted by multi-agency security last week reportedly traced the businessman to London after it emerged that he was out of the country.

Through his lawyer Kioko Kilukumi, Kariuki told the court that he returned to the country on Sunday night just a day before the court appearance.

While applying to have his client granted bail, Kilukumi refuted claims that Kariuki had gone into hiding, insisting that he is not a flight risk.

“There was no warrant of arrest either local or international issues against him,” Kilikumi argued.

“It is his constitutional rights to be granted bail. We ask you to grant our plea on reasonable bail terms.”