Alex Mutuku detained for 40 days in KRA hacking case

Alex Mutungi Mutuku, A computer expert charged with facilitating the theft of Ksh4 billion from the Kenya Revenue Authority by hacking their systems will remain in police custody for 40 days pending his trial after the court refused to grant him bail.

Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi, however, said if the investigations are complete before the 40 days then the accused may be released on a cash bail of Ksh1 million.

The 28-year-old was arrested on the 7th of March and charged with fraud resulting in the loss of Ksh4 billion from the taxman, a charge he denied.

The money was reportedly lost through alleged interference with the tax collector’s computer systems.

The accused was arrested after a multi-agency security operation that was conducted within Nairobi.

The court was told that several electronic gadgets, including mobile phones, computers, hard drives and severs were seized and forwarded to the cyber forensic laboratory for analysis.

The case will be heard on the 10th of May this year.