A Nairobi court has declined to free on bond a Chinese national wanted in Uganda to face prosecution over an alleged loss of USh4.5 billion (approximately Sh151 million), saying he is a flight risk.
Milimani Law Courts Senior Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo said the prosecution had offered compelling reasons to warrant the court denying the fugitive bond.
However, Onsarigo directed Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga to fast-track the extradition proceedings against Chen Guang, alias Alex.
The magistrate stated that the prosecution, led by Duncan Ondimu, had adduced evidence to prove that the suspect is a flight risk and should therefore "remain in detention pending the hearing of the extradition proceedings."
Ondimu told the magistrate that the office of the DPP has since supplied Guang with the extradition proceedings to enable him to file a defence.
"We have been served with a writ of the extradition proceedings received from the Ugandan Government," defence lawyer Karathe Wandugi informed the magistrate.
Wandugi sought time to file a response to the DPP's extradition request by September 11, 2026.
Allegations against Guang
In court filings by the DPP and the government of Uganda allege that 39-year-old Guang manipulated weighbridge bills and payment vouchers during his employment as a cashier at Diamond Steel Uganda Limited.
The extradition proceedings follow a formal request received by the DPP on June 10, 2026, from Uganda. Documents filed in court showed that he will face up to 30 counts of forgery contrary to Sections 319 and 324 of the Penal Code Act, and theft charges.
He was employed by Diamond Steel Uganda Limited from February 2019 until August 2023. The firm purchases metallic scrap and other raw materials from suppliers, which are weighed at the company's weighbridge and supported by weighbridge receipts before payment vouchers are prepared and submitted for payment.
The court heard that Guang exploited his access to the company's payment documentation and financial processes to facilitate the offences.
The court documents said Chen was also appointed as the company's authorised agent in respect of its Uganda Shillings and US Dollar accounts at Opportunity Bank, and his duties included handling cash withdrawals, obtaining bank statements, processing payments to suppliers, making purchases of raw materials, meeting operational expenses and collecting proceeds from daily sales.
It is alleged that the company carried out an analysis of its accounting records, which revealed discrepancies. Statements were recorded from suppliers and their agents who disputed the handwriting and signatures appearing on certain payment vouchers attributed to them, whereupon the questioned documents were submitted for forensic examination.
The request, dated April 18, 2026, was transmitted through the office of the Attorney-General and Department of Justice, and sought Kenya's assistance in endorsing and enforcing a Ugandan warrant of arrest and facilitating his extradition.
Evidence filed in court showed that Guang was arrested on August 11, 2026, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by officers from the Directorate of Immigration Services upon arrival from Harare, Zimbabwe. The warrant of arrest was issued by Mukono Chief Magistrates' Court in Uganda.
Prosecution counsel urged the court to order that Chen be surrendered to Uganda to face the charges, and further opposed the fugitive's application to be released on bond pending the hearing and determination of the extradition proceedings, citing concerns that he is a flight risk.
Onsarigo directed the DPP to present evidence before a decision is made on whether there is sufficient evidence to warrant the extradition of the businessman to stand trial in Uganda.
