Trouble is mounting by the day for billionaire businessman Humphrey Kariuki (pictured) as the state yesterday moved in to attach part of his empire.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Economic Crimes Unit have obtained a court order seeking to freeze and investigate his bank accounts as well as those of people close to him.
The State has also obtained court orders to search for all his known properties across the country and freeze them ahead of the hearing of a case in which he is accused of a Sh15.5Billion tax evasion.
Yesterday, seven investigators flew from Nairobi and served the order to the management of the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki which is associated with the businessman.
On Friday, a Chief Magistrate’s court granted DCI officers the authority to also seize two aircrafts owned by the tycoon.
“The movable assets so seized and brought before the court be detained until the conclusion of the case or the investigations, reasonable care being taken for its preservation,” said the chief magistrate only identified as Muthoni.
Vehicles registered in Kariuki’s name and those of his close associates may not escape the dragnet of the Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji, who made the application in court.
Bank boxes belonging to the tycoon as well as companies he has interests in will also be scrutinised in the new investigations targeting his vast empire.
The DPP had sought orders of the court for the police to seize, retain and freeze properties associated with the billionaire, whose business interests are spread across the world.
At Mount Kenya Safari Club, the investigators could not locate the planes they were searching for.
The hotel’s top management was however made to acknowledge receipt of the court order.
“They came here and served the manager in charge of conservancy.
