Kenyan businessman and former assistant minister, Tarus Stephen Kipkiyeny, facing charges related to alleged tax fraud involving gold transactions, has been denied bail by the Anti-Corruption Court in Nakasero. The court’s decision, delivered by Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe on January 18, 2024, was based on Kipkiyeny’s failure to provide substantial sureties to guarantee his appearance in court.
Kipkiyeny, charged with making false documents under the East African Community Customs Act, 2004, as amended, was advised by Magistrate Asiimwe to produce sufficient sureties and reapply for bail. The denial of bail follows Kipkiyeny’s remand to Luzira on January 10, 2024, due to the absence of sureties.
The prosecution, led by Stuart Ahabwe, a legal officer at the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), alleges that Kipkiyeny possessed a forged tax invoice and, along with others still at large, falsified customs documents in January 2024 related to 13 kilograms of gold bars. Kipkiyeny is accused of misrepresenting a Bill of Lading number in an attempt to smuggle the gold.
If found guilty under section 203 of the East African Community Customs Management Act of 2004, Kipkiyeny could face a maximum imprisonment term of three years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 (approximately sh37.7 million), or both.
