A Nairobi court has given Keroche Breweries director Tabitha Karanja’s husband a month to file a formal application seeking to be discharged in the Sh14 billion tax evasion case.
This is after the prosecution said they were not in a position to have Joseph Karanja discharged since no formal application had been filed on his sickness.
On Tuesday during the mention of the case, the prosecution was to confirm whether it would discharge Karanja.
This is after it admitted to receiving the medical report and needed more time to forward it to the DPP for further direction.
The prosecution asked Karanja’s lawyer to make a formal application before the court stating the reasons for his discharge and the nature of his condition before the DPP can make its decision.
Karanja’s lawyer James Orengo asked the court for more time to file the application in court.
“We are seeking a month to file the application which we are seeking to have my client discharged in the case as he is very sick and his medical condition is serious,” Orengo said.
Milimani principal magistrate Esther Kimilu allowed the application.
The case has been scheduled for July 27 for a mention.
Last month, Karanja was said to be unwell and his medical condition serious.
“Your Honour, Mr Karanja a senior citizen aged 71 has been unwell and his condition is very complex awaiting surgery,” Orengo told the court.
“We wish to have his name removed from the charge sheet.”
Medical reports tabled in court by Orengo said Karanja was admitted to Karen Hospital.
The hospital later referred Karanja to the UK where he is currently being treated.
In this case, Tabitha and Karanja have denied 10 counts related to tax evasion amounting to Sh14.5 billion.
Tabitha is out on Sh10 million bail or an alternative Sh5 million bond.
Karanja was released on a Sh1 million bond or in the alternative Sh2 million bail.
Their company was ordered to deposit Sh15 million cash bail to the court.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
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