Billionaire businessman Humphrey Kariuki, owner of Africa Spirits Ltd. was on Monday released on a cash bail of Sh11 million with an alternative bond of sh22 million.
Kariuki was in court to face several charges including money laundering, forgery and tax evasion. He denied all charges.
A raid on Africa Spirits Ltd. by the Police in February revealed to the world a lot about the previously little-known mogul behind some of the biggest brands such as popular budget vodka Bluemoon.
Africa Spirits is one of many ventures owned by Kariuki, with other interests including the luxurious Mt Kenya Safari Club.
Delivering his ruling on Monday, Presiding Magistrate Francis Andayi stated that it would be discriminatory to detain Mr. Kariuki.
The Magistrate, however, also directed that Kariuki appear before the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) within six hours after meeting the bail and bond terms.
In the inital February raid in Thika town, police found an estimated 21 million counterfeit excise stamps and 312,000 litres of illicit products.
The 61-year old Kariuki studied at Nairobi School and Kagumo High School before joining Central Bank of Kenya where he worked as a clerk from the age of 19.
He initially ventured into business with car importation and went on to achieve great success with a wide range of companies under his holding company, Janus Continental Group.
