Stephen Tarus, a former assistant minister during the late President Mwai Kibaki’s tenure, has been apprehended in Uganda on charges related to the alleged smuggling of 13 kilograms of gold into the country, utilizing counterfeit documents.
Tarus, formerly the Assistant Minister for Internal Security, faced an anti-corruption court last Wednesday, where he was ordered to be held in Luzira Prison until January 18.
This remand is in connection with ongoing investigations into the accusations leveled against him.
Authorities in Uganda are also examining the possibility of Tarus, aged 57, being linked to a broader network involved in gold smuggling activities within Kampala.
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More information coming in from @URAuganda indicates that the smuggled gold by Kenya's former ambassador – Stephen Kipkiyeny Tarus was destined to Dubhai where companies like Kostbar International are some of his clients. #TaxCrimeWatchAfricahttps://t.co/uDQ1H7z9z1 pic.twitter.com/IMANaZp8YS— Tax Crime Watch Africa (@TaxCrimeWatch) January 11, 2024
The charges pending against Tarus include gold smuggling, fraud, and the fabrication of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) documents.
These documents allegedly involve a falsified receipt indicating a payment of USD 30,000 (approximately Sh.4.8 million) in Kampala for the transportation of the gold.
Tarus served as the assistant Internal Security Minister under President Kibaki’s administration from 2009 to 2012. Before this, he represented Emgwen as a Member of Parliament from 2003 to 2007.
Former Kenyan Official Stephen Tarus Arrested In Uganda Over Gold Smuggling, Former Kenyan Official Stephen Tarus Arrested In Uganda Over Gold Smuggling