Former Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) Managing Director Pamela Nduku Mutua and Supply Chain Manager Amos Juma Sikuku were on Tuesday arraigned at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court over allegations related to the 2022 edible oil procurement scandal.
The charges involve multiple counts of failing to comply with procurement laws and abuse of office.
Charges Against Pamela Mutua
Count 1: Pamela Nduku Mutua, on December 5, 2022, failed to report the notification of award to Purma Holdings Limited to the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) and violated Regulation 90 (1) (b) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Regulations, 2020.
Count 2: On the same date she failed to report the notification of award to Multi Commerce FZC to the PPRA.
Count 3: Mutua did not report the notification of award to Standard Petroleum LLC to the PPRA.
Count 4: Mutua is accused of not reporting the notification of award to Makram Imports & Exports to the PPRA.
Count 5: Mutua reportedly failed to obtain requisite approvals before the commencement of procurement of bulk commodities on November 8, 2022, in violation of Section 104 (c) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015.
Charges Against Amos Sikuku
Count 6: Amos Juma Sikuku, on November 16, 2022, is accused of issuing a professional opinion in a tender for the procurement of bulk commodities that was prejudicial to the interests and rights of the Republic, constituting abuse of office under Section 101 as read with Section 102 (a) of the Penal Code, Cap 63.
Both Mutua and Sikuku pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Their defence counsel requested lenient bail terms arguing that the charge sheet did not specify the amount of money involved, contrary to earlier reports suggesting significant financial losses.
Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki Mutua set bail at KSh 5 million for Pamela Mutua, with an alternative cash bail of Ksh 1.5 million.
Sikuku was granted bail at Ksh 1 million, with an alternative cash bail of Ksh 500,000.
The case is scheduled for pretrial mention on August 12, 2024.
Prosecution plans to present further evidence and testimonies to substantiate the charges against the accused.
