Anerlisa Muigai’s fiancé Josiah ‘Joe’ Kariuki, who is accused of orchestrating a scam involving fake fertilizers worth Ksh209 million, was granted bail by Principal Magistrate Celesa Okore.
Josiah Kariuki secured his release after posting a cash bail of Ksh2 million, or an alternative bond of Sh5 million, as ordered by the court on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
Additionally, he was instructed to surrender his passport and warned against interfering with witnesses in the case.
Kariuki, identified as the director of Fifty One Capital Limited and SBL Innovate Manufacturers Limited, vehemently denied the fraud charges leveled against him.
According to court documents, Kariuki faces multiple charges related to the alleged fraud scheme.
In the primary count, he is accused of colluding with others to defraud Kenyan farmers by selling over 139,000 bags of counterfeit soil amendment and conditioner, purportedly valued at Ksh209,532,000, while knowing them to be fraudulent.
The alleged offenses took place on March 31, 2022, at the Kenya National Cereals and Produce Board Headquarters in Nairobi.
Among the charges, Kariuki is accused of forging agreements and permits to deceive authorities and potential buyers. These alleged offenses span various locations and dates, including an incident at the Kenya Bureau of Standards offices in Nakuru.
Additionally, Kariuki and his companies, 51 Capital Limited and SBL Innovate Manufacturers Limited, are accused of applying standardization marks for the manufacture of organic fertilizer on goods that failed to meet regulatory standards.
Three officials from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), Joseph Muna Kamote, John Kiplangat, and John Mbaya, who were implicated in the same case, have denied the charges and are currently out on Sh1 million cash bail each.
The court scheduled the next mention of the case for May 20, 2024, as legal proceedings continue.
In a bid to raise the required cash bail money for her fiancé, Anerlisa Muigai reached out to close contacts in a private WhatsApp group.
However, the confidential conversation was leaked and shared publicly by blogger Cyprian Nyakundi, leaving Muigai feeling betrayed by the breach of trust.
Expressing her disappointment on Instagram, Muigai reflected on the challenges of navigating personal crises under the scrutiny of the public eye.
“Fake friends are like shadows: always near you at your brightest moments but nowhere to be seen at your darkest hour. True friends are like stars, you don’t always see them but they are always there,” Anerlisa shared a quote.
She accompanied the quote with her own words, reading; “When you thought you had real friends then boom, a blogger sends you a screenshot from a very enclosed group. Tomorrow could be you.
“At least I know I cannot count on everyone and that’s okay. And yes we managed to get out without your help. We good. #GodFirst,” Anerlisa Muigai posted.
Anerlisa Muigai’s fiancé has had multiple brushes with the law both in Kenya and Tanzania.
The former Candy ‘n’ Candy Records boss was arrested in Tanzania on July 2nd 2017 on fraud charges.
Joe Kariuki was apprehended in Longido District for defrauding a certain Yusuf Mohamed a whopping Tsh300 million or Ksh13.9 million.
Anerlisa’s lover was utlimately released from Tanzanian prison in July 2019 after nearly two years of incarceration.
His release followed a successful appeal against a 7-year sentence.
Initially remanded in a prison in Arusha, his deteriorating health led to a transfer to Karanga Prison in Moshi, where he underwent four surgeries.
After a prolonged legal battle, Kariuki was convicted of fraud and sentenced to seven years in prison. However, he appealed the verdict and was ultimately released.
Reflecting on his experience, Kariuki expressed disappointment at the lack of support from his Kenyan acquaintances during his time in prison.
He attributed his predicament to a business dispute with a non-Tanzanian partner, who collaborated with others to bring the fraud charges against him.
During his tenure as CEO of Candy and Candy Records, Kariuki attempted to rejuvenate the careers of several local and international artists, albeit without significant success. Subsequently, he transitioned to property investments and aviation ventures after facing challenges in the music industry.
Kariuki returned to Kenya at the height of Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 after legal troubles and failed investments in Tanzania.
Related: Joe Kariuki launches Forex company in Nairobi
