Embu businesswoman jailed for illegal liquor production

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.