Policeman falls and dies at businessman Humphrey Kariuki’s Thika firm

The Africa Spirits Limited factory in Thika, Kiambu County.

A police officer slid and fell to death while on duty at the businessman Humphrey Kariuki owned Africa Spirits plant in Thika town, Kiambu County.

Administration Police constable Samuel Mwaura of the Critical Infrastructure Police Unit slipped and fell from a mast he was climbing and died on the spot.

His colleague said he was climbing onto the mast using a spiral metal staircase on Saturday night to have a better view of the factory.

Central region police boss Judy Lamet said the officer was pronounced dead at the Thika Level Five hospital.

She said Mwaura was part of a team that is manning the factory as it is regarded as a scene of crime.

“You know the factory is closed because it is regarded as a crime scene and the officer was among those manning it. Preliminary reports show he slid and fell from a staircase of a mast he was climbing,” said Ms Lamet.

She added further investigations into the incident are ongoing. The deceased had a deep cut in the back of his head.

Kariuki's Thika-based Africa Spirits Ltd plant was raided by police who said they found smuggled ethanol, 312,000 litres of illicit liquor and 21 million fake Kenya Revenue Authority stamps.

Some of the popular brands produced by the plant include Bluemoon vodka, Legend brandy and Glen Rock whisky.

Through its subsidiary — Wines of the World Beverages — the firm also imports and distributes leading brands of wines and premium whisky from North America and Europe that include Zappa, Bacardi and Southern Comfort.

Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner General Githii Mburu said the plant has not been remitting Sh3 billion in taxes every month.

The government gets about Sh200 in tax from a litre of ethanol, the main ingredient of alcoholic beverages.

Githii added that for every 20,000 litres of smuggled ethanol, the government loses about Sh4 million.

Police first raided the factory on February 1 and confiscated the items. Three workers were then arrested as others escaped. Those nabbed were presented in court.

Police warned then all government agencies that have been supervising operations of the factory over the years would be held accountable when investigations are complete.

This was after KRA officials said the plant initially operated on Mombasa Road, Nairobi before being moved to Thika in Kiambu County where it began large-scale production in 2014.