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
How agents duped, stole Sh1.5m pay of Kenyan forced to fight for Russia
Teams shoot without missing as some fly without perching
Azerbaijan, Kenya step up cooperation on climate action and urban planning ahead of WUF13
A life of open doors: Cyrus Jirongo's long road to greatness
Africa cannot achieve peace without women
Wildlife census report key in increasing action
Kenya and Sweden agree new pact to reduce Sh72b food losses
Kenya to share only aggregate health data with U.S. under Sh323bn deal
How support catapulted Kibugu, Wafula to prestigious Sunshine Tour series
HIV advocates want disclosure on Kenya-US Sh323b health deal
"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.