Embu businesswoman jailed for illegal liquor production

Eastern
By David Njaaga | Jun 11, 2024
Jackline Mairora sentenced to four years in prison by an Embu court for unlicensed liquor production and tax evasion. [Standard, File]

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.

"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.

Share this story
Insurance regulator revokes licenses of 20 brokers
Insurance Regulatory Authority cancels licenses of 20 insurance brokers, including Ibsa and Nexus, says cessation of operations effective June 30.
Kenya bans export of raw macadamia nuts
The Agriculture and food Authority (AFA) has announced plans to ban on exports and transit of raw macadamia nuts through Kenyan ports.
Why an acre of land in Eastleigh and South B will cost you Sh600 million
The report released on Thursday indicates that Eastleigh and South B recorded average land prices of Sh600 million per acre. 
Gulf Air orders 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliners
US aviation giant Boeing on Thursday signed a contract valued at $7 billion to sell 12 787 Dreamliners, with options for six more, to Gulf Air.
State defends tax regime amid UK-based investors' pitch for market
PS says 98 per cent of businesses in the country are MSMEs, whose contribution is inadequate to fund the budget.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS