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Businessman Dr Antony Gathogo Kihungu, who owns a local tobacco company and is widely believed to be the richest man in Kenya, is awaiting extradition from Britain, where he was arrested last month, to South Africa to answer tax fraud charges.
Daily Monitor has learnt that Dr. Gathogo Kihungu, whose Leaf Tobacco Company Masterminnd Tobacco Ltd manufactures Mastermind-brand cigarettes, was arrested on October 13 by UK police soon after his arrival at Heathrow Airport, following an international arrest warrant issued by Interpol at the request of the South African authorities. He has since been released on bail but is not allowed to travel out of London.
Dr. Gathogo Kihungu's woes can be traced back to November 2006 when South African Revenue Services (Sars) officials halted operations at his Mastermind Tobacco Company in Wilsonia, East London, South Africa amid a Rand 57 million fraud case against the company's directors and senior employees.
Mastermind Tobacco SA Ltd had been manufacturing Yes, Forum and Legends brands of cigarettes for the South African and regional markets since the early 1990s.
Sars officials did not give exact reasons for the firm's closure, citing confidentiality provisions in South Africa's income tax laws but South African media quoted Sars' national spokesman Adriaan Lackay as saying that the decision was taken due to the severity of the fraud charges against the company.
South African media also reported that charges were to be brought against the company's three Kenyan directors, Dr. Gathogo Kihungu, his son Patrick and Jean-Paul Nkwaya, as well as two senior employees - import/export manager Jennifer Putter and financial manager Pascale Wiehah.
Jointly, the five face 25 counts of fraud relating to non-payment of excise duties, 25 charges of illegally exporting goods, six charges relating to the non-payment of Value Added Tax and a charge of irregular dealing in goods.
Dr. Gathogo Kihungu, his son and their co-director fled South Africa after warrants for their arrest were issued and the businessman was believed to have been living in Nyeri at the time of his arrest.
After they fled South Africa, some of their property, including an aircraft, houses, vehicles and cash to the value of R58m( about Shs11.4 billion), was subsequently attached by the country's Asset Forfeiture Unit, according to reports.
The five had earlier been arrested in July 2008 following an investigation by Kenya Anti corruption Commission. Apart from extensive businesses in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania, Dr. Gathogo Kihungu and Tribert Ayabatwa -from Rwanda, also owns Leaf Tobacco & Commodities Ltd in Uganda with offices along Namugongo Road.
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Who is Antony Gathogo Kihungu?
Antony Gathogo Kihungu is a Kenyan entrepreneur and founder of Antony's Peanut Butter, a company that produces natural and healthy nut butter products. He is known for his business acumen and commitment to promoting healthy eating habits in Kenya through his products.
What state is mount Kenya in?
I assume by State you are thinking of the American kind of states. We have countries in Africa, each governed by its own government and each with a president. there are about 52 countries in Africa, and Kenya is one of them. Mount Kenya is in Central part of Kenya.
Do women wear the same things as men in Kenya?
Like in any country, in Kenya men and women have their own styles of clothes and there are some clothes that can be worn by men or women.
Is there a place in Kenya named Hawaii?
Nope. Hawaii is a country by its own right, governed by the United States.
Is Kenya the capital of Africa?
No, Kenya is not the capital of Africa. The capital city of Kenya is Nairobi. Africa is a continent with 54 countries, and each country has its own capital city. The capital of Africa as a continent does not exist because it is not a country.
