The manhunt for the reclusive billionaire Humphrey Kariuki has turned to be a game of ‘hide and seek.’ The business tycoon has successfully avoided various traps laid by detectives.
Detectives had tracked him to a London address by Sunday night. He is said to have flown to the UK from Mozambique on Thursday last week. Kariuki is rumoured to be planning to fly out to Cyprus Islands where he is a citizen.
The search operation has been hampered by the fact that Kariuki’s name does not stand out in public. Despite being a billionaire, the businessman has kept a low profile and only a few people can identify him in a crowd.
Prosecutors have now resolved to seek an international arrest warrant for Kariuki to be handed back to Kenya where he faces a Ksh.41 billion tax evasion case.
The DCI is seeking international help in arresting billionaire Humphrey Kariuki who is believed to be in Maputo, Mozambique. Kariuki is accused of a 41.5 billion shillings tax evasion scheme. #NTVAtOne @Gladys_Gachanja pic.twitter.com/oX6kISvNYD
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) August 9, 2019
The Director of Criminal Investigation is also seeking to repossess Kariuki’s wealth including a five-star hotel in Nanyuki, a multi-billion shilling mall in Nairobi, private planes and more than 80 high ends vehicles registered under his name.
Wanted billionaire:
Police trace Humphrey Kariuki in London. State to seek international arrest warrant. Kariuki wanted for tax evasion case.
State looking to freeze his assets #DayBreak pic.twitter.com/LhcdeqHh2z
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) August 13, 2019
Kariuki, whose company is accused of manufacturing substandard alcohol, has described himself in various interviews as a “first-generation serial entrepreneur.”
Humphrey Kariuki owns the Hub Mall in Karen, the multibillion Mt Kenya Golf Club, Africa Spirits (makers of Blue moon & Legend), WOW beverages (sole distributors of Jack Daniels, Lawson, famous grouse etc) & Dalbit Petroleum (recently won UN Sh796m tender to fuel its planes)
— Catekamaru (@Catewakamaru) August 8, 2019
From a 10-child household in Nyeri, Kariuki grew up to build one of the biggest business empires in Kenya. Authorities now say part of the foundation that his business was built on cannot stand against scrutiny.