By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
Kenya, 13 June 2026 - A man from Murang’a County has been fined KSh 9.2 million after being convicted of dealing in illegal alcoholic products bearing counterfeit excise stamps.
In a landmark ruling that underscores the government's intensified crackdown on tax evasion and illicit trade, the court found him guilty of offences related to the possession and distribution of un-customed alcohol and fake excise stamps, dealing a major blow to the illicit alcohol network operating in the country.
Dennis Muiruri Kamande faced six counts of charges, including manufacturing excisable goods (alcohol) without an excise duty license, being in possession of excisable goods (alcohol) acquired in contravention of the Act, being in possession of excisable goods affixed with counterfeit excise stamps, and being in possession, in the course of trade, of counterfeit goods.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has secured a landmark conviction against Excise Duty Act, 2015 and the Anti-Counterfeit Act, 2008, after he was sentenced to pay a fine of Ksh 9,213,972.478 and, in default, serve 4 years in prison.
The sentence followed a judgment delivered on 10th June 2026 by Resident Magistrate justice Renna Jakinda at Kenol Law Courts.
In her judgment, justice Jakinda found that the prosecution led by Ms. Peris Gathu had proved all the charges against the accused beyond reasonable doubt by calling a total of 11 witnesses in support of the case.
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The court heard that on 21st September 2023, at New Farm Village along Markfirst–Kwa Jimmy Road in Ithanga/Kakuzi Sub-County, Murang’a County, the accused was found manufacturing and possessing various excisable alcoholic products without the requisite license.
During the investigation, the investigators recovered 60 bottles and 287 cans of different alcohol brands as well as 320 litres of ethanol and one reel of counterfeit excise stamps.
The conviction underscores the ODPP’s commitment to combating illicit trade, tax evasion, and the circulation of counterfeit goods, which undermine legitimate businesses, deprive the government of revenue, and pose significant risks to public health and safety.
For Muslims, alcohol consumption, as a beverage, remains strictly prohibited.