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The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) have announced the reopening of Africa Spirits Limited, a Kenyan alcoholic beverage manufacturer founded and controlled by multimillionaire businessman Humphrey Kariuki.
KRA’s recent announcement comes nearly three years after the tax authority launched a hunt for Kariuki on allegations of more than $30 million in tax evasion and smuggling substandard ethanol products into the country.
“We have overseen the handing over of Africa Spirits Limited to its owners by the Directorate of Criminal Investigation,” KRA stated in a press release, adding that the authority will ensure the firm is back on its feet and operating in accordance with its planned move to increase tax collection.
Kenya’s newly elected President William Ruto announced plans to increase revenue to fund the National Treasury budget, setting a tax collection target of KSh3 trillion ($24.4 billion) by the end of the 2023 fiscal year, a target that KRA is eager to meet.
Ruto believes that the only way to improve Kenya’s economy is to reduce foreign borrowing and strengthen the domestic economy by looking inward rather than outward. To achieve his economic goals, he urged Kenyans to help him bridge the gap by paying taxes.
Kariuki, who was among the Kenyan businessmen who attended Ruto’s inauguration ceremony in September, stated that investors are hopeful that his government will support the business environment.
“I feel grateful to him because he encourages us as business leaders to get out there. He always says get out and do work,” he said. “We look forward to his assistance to us who have ventured into international business.”
Kariuki is the founder of Janus Continental Group. The multinational conglomerate employs over 200 people and consists of market-leading companies in the energy, hospitality, and real estate sectors.
Aside from his ownership of Janus Continental Group and Africa Spirits Limited, his liquor company, Kariuki also owns the five-star Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, and the Animal Orphanage.
He also has a stake in Great Lakes Africa Energy, a U.K.-based company that develops and operates power projects in Southern Africa.
