A Nairobi-based hides and skins trader was caught in early April 2023, in a secret dugout in her house in Buruburu after evading the police for three years.
The woman, facing a Ksh204 million tax evasion case, was also accused of obtaining Ksh 4.9 million by false pretence.
On April 5, police raided her house again after tracking her phone signal, and searched the whole premises but couldn't locate her. However, detectives declined to leave the house and continued tracking her phone, while being on standby in case she tried to flee.
After a few hours of searching every room and the ceiling, they found her under a modified staircase. Police claimed she had been using that spot to hide for nearly three years, frustrating search efforts.
According to the court, the Ksh 4.9 million fraud case continued, and the conviction was rendered during her years in hiding.
“You were convicted in absentia, and now you will serve a two-year jail term with an alternative fine of Sh300,000,” noted Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Martha Nanzushi.
The judge added that she will be presented to another court to proceed with the Ksh204 million tax case but also ordered her to commence her jail time immediately.
While presenting her case, detectives argued that they always struggled to explain why they couldn't trace the suspect.
On February 9, 2018, Marisiana was arraigned before Senior Principal Magistrate Martha Mutuku and charged with five counts relating to tax fraud.
She was accused of contravening the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004, by under-declaring the weight and measure of wet salted cow hides she was exporting by 3,862,264 Kgs.
The tax man allegedly lost revenue amounting to Ksh 204 million. The suspect, however, denied all charges and was released on a cash bail of Ksh500,000.
In 2013, Marisiana was part of a group that filed a petition against the Kenya Revenue Authority in the High Court in Nairobi seeking the repeal of sections of the Finance Act, 2012, that increased export duty in hides and skins. The law came into force on January 7, 2013.
