Kelvin Mwaura Ngotho, the main suspect in a Ksh2.85 billion Lavington gold scam has been arrested and arraigned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
In a statement on Wednesday, February 28, DCI stated that Mwaura was arrested at the Milimali Law courts premises where he had appeared for the hearing of another gold scam case.
Further, the statement indicated that Mwaura was a tenant of a Lavington house where an eight-member gang run the scam. The detectives had been pursuing him since then.
The gang were arrested after they attempted to con two Malaysian nationals of the billions.
“Kelvin Mwaura Ngotho, the main suspect in a Sh2.85 billion gold scam investigation involving two Malaysian nationals, and who was arrested yesterday by the Operations Support Unit detectives has been arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts.
“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,” the statement read in part.
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DCI Officers Raid on the House of the Suspect
Additionally, DCI stated that when the suspects were about to seal their Ksh2.85 billion deal, officers stormed the house, which was rented by Mwaura and arrested seven other suspects.
However, Mwaura escaped and remained hidden and on the run.
Mwaura was charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and Attempt to commit a felony. He pleaded not guilty and was released on a bond of Sh3 million or alternative cash bail of Sh1 million.
“On the day when the deal involving 500kg in fake gold was to be sealed, detectives stormed the house where Mwaura’s seven accomplices were rounded up, but he managed to escape. They have since been arraigned.
He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was admitted to a bond of Sh3 million or alternative cash bail of Sh1 million. The matter will be mentioned on 13th March at the same court,” added DCI.
How the Other Suspects Were Arrested
In a December 27, 2023, statement, DCI narrated that they had received intelligence report through Kilimani Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer on the scamming deal planned against the two Malaysian men, who had been contacted through social media.
“The scammers were trailed as they picked the two foreigners from their hotel Four Points by Sheraton along Argwings Kodhek road in Kilimani using a Toyota Noah Reg No. KCW 835U.
They were taken to an office in a private house along Mageta Road within Kileleshwa where the surveillance team followed closely before the main gate was shut locking them out,” noted DCI.
As the officers entered the compound, some of the suspects escaped by jumping over the fence, forcing the sleuths to engage in a chase.
Seven of the suspects were apprehended.
