Two directors of Purma holdings wanted over Kshs. 2.2 billion tax evasion court case have been released on a Kshs.50 Million bond with surety of Kshs. 25 million each after they presented themselves before the Anti-Corruption Court today morning.

The two, Ms. Mary Wambui Mungai & Ms. Purity Njoki Mungai presented themselves in court to take plea before Chief Magistrate, Hon. Felix Mutinda Kombo accompanied by their lawyer Nelson Havi.  

The directors are accused of eight (8) counts of knowingly and unlawfully omitting taxes due in the income tax returns submitted to the Commissioner for Domestic Taxes for the period between 2014-2016.

The first accused, Ms. Mary Mungai; a renowned businesswoman together with her co-accused, her daughter Ms. Purity Mungai were also accused of failing to honor summons to appear before KRA on 3rd December, 2021 to inform them of the charges against them.  

On 8th December, the court declined to lift a warrant of arrest issued against the two directors on 6th December, 2021. The two directors through their lawyer had urged the court to lift the warrant because Ms. Mary Mungai was on bed rest on the advice of doctors at Kiambu Level Five Hospital and that Ms. Purity Mungai was her caregiver.

Yesterday evening the two escaped arrests by officers from KRA-DCI unit at Weston hotel where they were residing. Upon searching the hotel premises, the officers found personal belongings of the two including cash, bank cards and car keys; a clear indication that the two were residing at the hotel.

The Chief Magistrate ordered them deposit their travel documents both Kenyan passports and any alien passports they may be holding with the court. They were also ordered not to travel without clearance of the court. The Director of Immigration will also be served with an order restricting travel of the two.

The accused persons were ordered to present themselves to the KRA-DCI offices on 14th December, 2021 for processing.

The case will be mentioned on 16th January, 2022. 

Commissioner-Investigations & Enforcement