• Magistrate says Kariuki has demonstrated willingness to cooperate and attend court.
Image: ENOS TECHE
A magistrates court has directed that two passports belonging to billionaire Humphrey Kariuki be released to him to enable him travel to the United States for business engagements.
Magistrate Kennedy Cheruiyot on Thursday directed the release of the travel documents, saying Kariuki voluntarily availed himself to investigators.
Cheruiyot aid Kariuki has demonstrated willingness to cooperate and attend court when required and there is no reason why his personal business meetings should be restricted.
“I direct that his two passports be released to him allow him travel abroad as may be necessary but let the accused provide a surety to guarantee his return to court,” the magistarte said.
Kariuki, through lawyer Cecil Miller, had urged the court to allow him to travel to the US, Gabon and Switzerland for urgent business meetings or engagements between next Monday and Friday, October 12 and between November 26 and December 6.
His Kenyan and Cypriot passports had been deposited in court when he was granted bail by Chief Magistrate Francis Andayai. But the businessman managed to convince the court to release them to facilitate his travel.
Kariuki was arraigned in court last month in connection with tax evasion claims, amounting to Sh41 billion.
The matter will he mentioned on September 26.