A Nairobi court has lifted a warrant of arrest issued against Nakuru senator Tabitha Karanja in the 14.5 billion Keroche Brewery tax evasion case.
The court had issued the warrant of arrest on Wednesday after Karanja failed to appear for the hearing of her case.
However, on Thursday morning Senior Principal Magistrate Esther Kimilu lifted the warrant after Keroche appeared in court voluntarily.
Kimilu lifted the warrant but warned the Karanja not to delay the matter again telling the lawyers that she will proceed with the matter in the absence of the accused if she fails to attend.
“I adjourn this case and lift the warrant of arrest for Tabitha Karanja. Let it be noted that the trial will proceed if she fails to attend court as provided under Article 50 of the Constitution,” the court ruled.
Kimilu further noted that Karanja had changed advocates several times which she said is a delay tactic and cautioned her against it in future.
Kimilu said she was concerned with the delay in the matter saying it’s a 2019 matter and by it delaying then the public would want answers from her.
I refuse adjournments as I don’t want Kenyans to say I m lazy. Don’t put me in a situation where I am not able to explain my case. The case must proceed” Kimilu said.
Last month Kimilu stepped down at the CEO of Kericho Breweries and handed over to Potas Anaya the CFO.
Karanja who is facing several counts related to tax evasion and also making incorrect statements for January 17 to December 2017 which prosecution says affected their payable excise duty by Sh 3.6 Billion.
Karanja was charged alongside her husband Joseph Karanja but the state later dropped the charges against him.
