The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives have arrested Kelvin Mwaura Ngotho, the alleged mastermind behind a Ksh 2.85 billion gold scam involving two Malaysian nationals.
In a statement on Wednesday, the DCI said the suspect was arrested by the Operations Support Unit detectives at the Milimani Law Courts premises shortly after attending the hearing for another gold scam case for which he is currently out on bond.
“Mwaura was arrested at the same court premises when he appeared for the hearing of yet another gold scam case in which he is out on bond,” read the statement in part.
The suspect who is alleged to be the mastermind of the near-success $19,000,000 gold scam deal orchestrated by an 8-member gang has been on the DCI radar since December 27, 2023.
According to the DCI, Mwaura was the tenant of the Lavington-based premises from which the gang operated, having entered a tenancy agreement with the landlord to use the property as a residential house.
His alleged accomplices were arrested on December 27 last year during a transactional meeting to defraud Malaysian nationals, Halid Mohamed and Yaacob Zulkannaaub bin Ramali.
The 500-kilogram gold amounting to Ksh.2.85 billion was to be sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Detectives stormed the house where Mwaura’s seven accomplices were rounded up but he managed to escape.
Mwaura was on Wednesday arraigned before Justice R.K Ondieki and charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and Attempt to commit a felony.
He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was admitted to a bond of Ksh3 million or alternative cash bail of Ksh1 million.
The matter will be mentioned on 13th March at the same court.
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