Purma Holdings directors Mary Wambui and her daughter Purity Njoki released on Sh25 million cash bail each or Sh50million bond with two sureties.
The two were arraigned before Anti-corruption Court Magistrate Felix Kombo where they were charged alongside their company Purma Holdings.
They were subsequently charged with eight counts of tax evasion totalling Sh3 billion, with the highest sole tax evasion charge being Sh2.2 billion.
Both Wambui and Njoki denied the charges.
The two surrendered in court today morning after evading dragnet by Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) sleuths at Weston Hotel.
The two were represented by lawyers Nelson Havi and Sylvanus Osoro.
Havi said the purpose of the mention was to present Wambui and Purity in court and explain why they had not done so as directed earlier.
“Reason why they could not have presented themselves earlier is because Mary was unwell and she is still unwell but upon being instructed yesterday I advised both of them we appear in court today,” he said.
Havi apologised to the court because of the four days that have lapsed, stating that, “It was not pre mediated but because Mary was ill. My clients are very remorseful.”
“Second reason we are here is to have the accused persons take plea on their own capacity and for Purma holding. We are ready to take plea,” he stated.
Police yesterday night stormed the hotel in which the suspects were lodging, but found the duo had already escaped.
Their personal belongings were, however, found in the room they had booked.
According to a statement released by the KRA, Wambui alongside Njoki escaped from their hotel rooms a few minutes before the police and KRA officers arrived to arrest them.
“Upon searching the hotel premises, KRA officers and the police found personal belongings of the two including cash, bank cards and car keys; a clear indication that the two were residing at the hotel,” KRA said in the statement.
Upon searching the hotel premises, KRA officers and the police found personal belongings of the two including cash, bank cards and car keys, a clear indication that the two were residing at the hotel.
It is claimed they used a connecting door from their room on third floor to escape to the next room making it difficult for the officers to pursue them further.
Police cordoned off the hotel as a search on the two is intensified in vain.