Humphrey Kariuki is a Kenyan businessman and billionaire who is the chairman of Africa Spirits Limited, a company that is involved in the production and distribution of alcohol in Kenya.
Although Humphrey Kariuki is a billionaire, Kariuki is not as popular and a show-off as other local billionaires such as the late Chris Kirubi.
He lives a quiet life, away from the cameras. Unknown to many people, Humphrey Kariuki is also a citizen of Cyprus. He was granted a Cypriot passport through the citizenship-by-investment program.
He hit the headlines when the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) said that he was a wanted man over tax evasion.
In early 2019, the public was ushered into his reclusive life following a bust at one of his businesses.
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The burst took place at the Africa Spirits Limited company where an estimated 21 million counterfeit excise stamps and 312,000 liters of illicit products were discovered.
These items were all worth billions of money. Kariuki built this brewery in 2002. “I’m proud to say that Africa Spirits Limited is the most successful indigenous alcoholic beverage company in Kenya today,” he said.
The opening of this lid on Kariuki’s alleged tax cheating was alleged to be a revelation of the dealings of a businessman who had allegedly been accumulating millions, if not billions of money through tax evasion. His case in court was later dismissed over the prosecution’s failure to table witnesses.
Kariuki’s Africa Spirits Limited is just one entity in his multi-billion empire. Africa Spirits, which is popularly known for alcoholic drinks such as the Bluemoon Vodka, is only a small part of Mr. Kariuki’s multibillion empire.
His business conglomerate includes The Hub – a premier shopping mall located in the beautiful leafy suburbs of Karen in Nairobi; Dalbit Petroleum, one of the largest oil distributors in East and Southern Africa, and Great Lakes Africa Energy, a U.K-based company that is a developer and operator of power projects in Southern Africa.
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Humphrey Kariuki is also the owner of the 5-star Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, and the neighboring Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy and Animal Orphanage.
A few years ago, Humphrey Kariuki entered into a deal that would see him construct an Sh. 40 billion gas power plant in Mozambique.
Kariuki struck the deal through his Great Lakes Africa Energy (GLAE) firm, which is a UK-based pan-African energy solution company that develops and operates power projects in Southern Africa.
The handing over of the factory is the latest development by the Ruto regime to revive businesses and individuals who had become victims of KRA and the DCI zeal.
Dr. Ruto also appointed businesswoman Mary Wambui, who is facing a case of tax evasion with KRA as the chairperson of the Communication Authority. KRA has since applied to withdraw the suit.
Ms. Wambui together with her daughter Purity Njoki and their trading company Purma Holdings Limited were arraigned in December last year over allegations of evading payment of taxes amounting to Sh2.2 billion.
ASL product categories include Vodka, Brandy, and Gin. Brands included Bluemoon Vodka, Bluemoon flavors (Coconut, Apple, Mango & Ginger), Legend Brandy, Legend Black, Furaha Vodka, Furaha Brandy, Furaha Gin, and Gypsy King Gin.
Humphrey Kariuki Companies
He is also the owner of several other companies and properties, including:
- Uhuru Juice and Fruits Limited: A company involved in the production and distribution of juices and fruits.
- Blue Ruby Group of Companies: A conglomerate of companies involved in various business activities, including real estate, hospitality, and tourism.
- Blue Post Hotel and Conference Centre: A hotel and conference center located in Thika, Kenya.
- Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi: A hotel located in Nairobi, Kenya.
- Thika Greens Golf Resort: A golf resort located in Thika, Kenya.
It is important to note that the list of companies and properties associated with Humphrey Kariuki may change over time, and this information should be verified with publicly available sources.
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