Kelvin Mwaura Ngotho, the main suspect in a Sh2.85 billion gold scam involving two Malaysian nationals, was arraigned on Wednesday at the Milimani Court for a failed deal involving 50 kg of counterfeit gold.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reported that Mwaura was arrested on Tuesday at the court premises, where he was present for a hearing related to another gold scam case for which he is currently out on bond.
According to DCI boss Mohamed Amin, Mwaura has been a target of operations support detectives since December 27, 2023, as he is believed to be the mastermind behind a nearly successful $19 million (Sh2.78 billion) gold scam orchestrated by an eight-member gang. Investigations revealed that Mwaura was renting an apartment in Lavington, which served as the gang’s operational base.
On the day the 50 kg fake gold deal was set to be finalized, detectives raided the apartment, apprehending seven of Mwaura’s accomplices. However, he managed to escape at that time. Those accomplices have since been charged in court.
Mwaura was charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and attempt to commit a felony. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was released on a bond of Sh3 million, or an alternative cash bail of Sh1 million. The case is set for mention on March 13 at the same court.
In a related case, another prime suspect, Jackson Karungo Kahora, was charged on Monday in connection with a separate 52 kg gold scam that defrauded an American national of $434,100 (Sh63,595,650) last year. Kahora was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport while attempting to flee to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Amin stated that Kahora was charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, obtaining money by false pretenses, and two counts of uttering false documents. He also pleaded not guilty and was granted a Sh600,000 bond or a cash bail of Sh300,000.
Scams involving fake gold continue to plague the city, despite police warnings urging potential victims to exercise caution.
