Legislators now want to know the status of investigations into the controversial Sh16.5 billion edible oils scandal, claiming high-level interference into the inquiry.
The development follows admission by the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) that Kenya lost at least Sh6.5 billion in the controversial edible oils importation deal.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have been investigating the matter since last year.
Raising a storm before the Senate, Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute claimed an ongoing tampering with evidence and processes in the investigations.
He said that despite DCI and EACC probing the matter, some staff of KNTC allegedly involved in the fraudulent deal are still in office in spite of dismissal of other employees.
The senator said over Sh6.5 billion of taxpayers’ money has been lost in unclear circumstances in regards to the deal with suspicions of fraud.
He claimed that there are two companies that overcharged KNTC and upon investigation, it was established that the two firms had issued credit notes and are yet to refund the State agency.
The MP said the two companies are Multi Commerce International Limited which has been directed to refund Sh2.28 billion to KNTC and Charma Holdings Limited which has been directed to refund Sh487 million.
“I am reliably informed of an ongoing tampering with evidence and processes in this investigation. This is improper and continues to raise eyebrows on the retention of staff involved in fraudulent loss of more than Sh6.5 billion at the KNTC,” said Mr Chute.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei called on the EACC to come clear on the issue in regards to the fight against corruption in the country.
“The allegations of misappropriation of Sh6.5 billion by KNTC must be looked at. We hope that the EACC will arrest all perpetrators of this KNTC heist,” he said.
Migori Senator Eddy Oketch called for the formation of a commission of Inquiry or a special committee to investigate KNTC, saying the agency is fast becoming a place for serious corruption.
“It cannot be that people who have overseen the pilferage of billions of shillings are left in the office while those who have done the work of a whistleblower to show the country what is happening in KNTC are the ones who end up being sacked. We cannot allow this to continue,” said Mr Oketch.
Former KNTC Managing Director Ms Pamela Mutua and other senior officers of the troubled State agency were arrested in November last year over the multi-billion scandal.
In July this year, Ms Mutua and former Supply Chain and Logistics Manager Amos Juma Sikuku were charged before Milimani Anti-Corruption with procurement irregularities in relation to the edible oil scandal.
The two were charged with willful failure to comply with applicable laws relating to procurement for failing to report to the public procurement authority the issuance notification of award to Purma Holdings Limited. However, the two denied all the charges.
The senators now want the committee on Justice and Legal Affairs to appraise the House on the state of ongoing investigations.
The committee chaired by Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei has now been tasked with investigations on why staff members who may have been involved in the scandal are still in the office.
According to Senator Chute, the alleged members include Lucy Anangwe, General Manager of Finance; Edward Wachira, Senior Accountant and Lydia Karue, Finance Officer.
“It is fundamentally important that the Committee direct the members of staff mentioned above to step aside to allow investigations to be done,” he said.
The committee is also expected to shed more light on KNTC’s Board resolution leading to dismissal of members of staff and retention of those who remained and further investigate cash withdrawals done through vouchers and cheques by individuals at the agency.
“I request they submit the names and identity numbers of the said individuals as well as furnish the Senate with details of how KNTC Board determined the dismissal and retention of the involved members of staff,” said Mr Chute.
Further, the committee should investigate and establish timelines and mechanism with which the companies directed to refund KNTC will settle the monies.
In October last year, President William Ruto ordered investigations into the finances of three senior-ranking government officials implicated in the scandal through inflation of prices of imported edible oil.
