Nairobi, Kenya – A director of Urotide Investments Limited was on Tuesday arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts and charged with tax evasion amounting to KSh 149,962,562.
Peterson Maina Maruhiu, who was charged alongside his company, pleaded not guilty to all charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Caroline Mugo.
The court released him on a cash bail of KSh 1.5 million, with an alternative bond of KSh 5 million. The magistrate also directed the accused to provide one contact person before his release.
Charges
According to the charge sheet, the offences were allegedly committed between February 20, 2023, and February 20, 2024, within the Republic of Kenya.
The prosecution alleges that, while serving as a director of Urotide Investments Limited, Maruhiu knowingly made false declarations in Value Added Tax (VAT) returns for the year 2023.
He is accused of claiming fictitious purchases amounting to KSh 149,962,562, purportedly from Balsam Hardware Limited, thereby reducing VAT liability by KSh 23,994,010.
In additional counts of fraud in relation to tax, contrary to the Tax Procedures Act, 2015, the accused allegedly:
- Claimed fictitious purchases worth KSh 90,819,437 from Super Ideal Hardware Limited, reducing VAT liability by KSh 14,531,110.
- Claimed fictitious purchases amounting to approximately KSh 87.9 million from Tena Arts and Brands Limited, further reducing VAT payable by over KSh 14 million.
The case will be mentioned on May 5, 2026, for pre-trial directions.