Embu businesswoman jailed for illegal liquor production
Eastern
By
David Njaaga
| Jun 11, 2024
A court in Embu has sentenced a woman to four years' imprisonment for unlicensed liquor production and tax evasion.
Jackline Gatwiri Mairora, proprietor of Jacky's Wines and Spirits in Kiritiri trading centre, was found to have employed casual workers to illicitly produce alcohol at night in a rented house in Makuti village, Mbondoni sub-location.
The operation, which produced up to 30 crates of beer for distribution across Embu outlets, was uncovered following an intelligence-led operation. Mairora was apprehended on June 16, 2022.
At Siakago law court, she faced three charges: possession of excisable goods with counterfeit excise stamps, manufacturing excisable goods without a licence, and illegal possession of excise stamps, the latter implying a tax loss of Sh300,000.
Six witnesses, former employees involved in various stages of the illicit operation, testified against Mairora, corroborating the prosecution's case.
READ MORE
Residents torch sugarcane plantation and tractor in grazing dispute
Hospital on a mission to restore hope for fistula patients
PS Omollo lauds progress of peace-building efforts in volatile Nyakach and Kericho border
Another life lost at Malaha Junction days after deadly Webuye Kitale crash
Homa Bay County launches operationalised Corruption Prevention Committees
Democracy on trial when an MP is punished for asking questions
Parliament asked to enact legislative framework to accredit paralegals in Kenya
Bodies of two men tortured and murdered found in Kilifi's Gede forest
Why Sudi has only opened his mouth in Parliament to yawn or drink water
Zanzibar launches $12 million heritage restoration drive with private partner
"The law does not envisage granting of permission to anyone to possess counterfeit excise stamps," Principal Magistrate Stephen Ngii said in his ruling.
Ngii convicted Mairora on two counts but dismissed the charge regarding illegal possession of excise stamps due to insufficient evidence.