DPP Launches Investigation Into Ann Njeri’s Detention Amid Ksh17 Billion Oil Scandal
Renson Igonga, the Director of Public Prosecution, has issued an order mandating prompt investigations into a complaint regarding the unlawful discharge of fuel by government agencies. Additionally, he has ordered the detention of Ann Njeri, the businesswoman implicated in a disputed Sh17 billion oil consignment import, as well.
The DPP confirmed receipt of the complaint filed by David Chumo Advocates on behalf of Anns Import and Export Enterprise Limited in a letter dated November 23.
He stated that the investigation is ongoing.
“Under Article 157(4) of the Constitution, I hereby direct that investigations be carried out into the matter and the resultant police duplicate inquiry file forwarded to this office for perusal and advice. Kindly expedite”, Igonga said in the letter.
The legal firm representing Njeri, the director of Anns Import and Export Enterprise Limited, disclosed on November 20 that she purchased 100,000 metric tonnes of gasoline through HSBC Dubai accounts that processed transactions associated with the shipment’s procurement using its Dubai-based financiers.
The petroleum was entrusted to their client for shipment to Mombasa or any other location the client desired, according to the law firm.
Additionally, the report stated that Njeri maintains a corporate presence in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Nairobi, Kenya.
The law firm stated that, according to the Questionnaire (Q88) Report, the 100,000 metric tonnes of fuel were transferred onto the vessel HAIGUI (IMO 9505821).
“As an international trader, Our Client was not registered as an importer with the Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). As such, upon arrival of the vessel into Kenya’s high seas on 10 October 2023, Our Client’s director one Anne Njeri Njoroge traveled to Mombasa to market the fuel to willing buyers”, the letter reads in part.
The law firm asserts that Njeri engaged in discussions with individuals associated with Galana Energies Limited, one of the oil marketing companies designated to supply fuel to other oil marketers in the Government-to-Government (G-to-G) agreement, while marketing the fuel.
According to the law firm, the director also provided documentation of the shipment to individuals associated with Galana Energies Limited.
Njeri was notified in November 2023, while continuing to market the petroleum, that her vessel Hagui had been unauthorisedly summoned to Kipevu Terminal for discharge.
“This prompted our client’s director to report to the Kenya Port Police to try and stop off-loading and discharge of the to make a consignment into Kenya Pipeline Company pipeline. An OB Report number 21/54/11/25 was issued.”
Anne Njeri, on the recommendation of Senator Oscar Sudi, requested an audience with Davis Chirchir, cabinet secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, according to the letter.
“Our client’s director, in the company of Hon Oscar Sudi, visited CS Chirchir’s offices on November 8, 2013. But to the client’s director’s surprise, CS Chirchir told the director to her face that the consignment in Hagui belonged to Galana Energies Limited and that it was part of the G to-G fuel procurement framework,” the law firm adds.
Njeri visited Oscar Sudi’s office the following day, November 9, 2023, still in disbelief, whereupon Sudi called Mohamed Amin, the Director of Criminal Investigations, and requested that he attend to her ordeal with Kenya Ports Authority and Galana Energies Limited and offer his counsel.
It is reported that Njeri went to the DCI the same day, where she detailed the events that had occurred to the DCI chief.
Nevertheless, the law firm asserted that Njeri was not released after recording her statement; rather, she was transferred to two individuals who allegedly absconded with her on November 9, 2023, in the evening.
“It was not until November 13, 2023, when our client’s director was released from a facility she was being held in and dumped at Nyayo Embakasi. To date, our client’s director has not been charged in any court of law.”
“We are instructed to lodge a formal complaint with your good offices on the illegal discharge of our client’s petroleum by government agencies and officers as well as illegal detention of our client’s director,” the law firm said in the letter to the DPP.
“We believe the above actions constitute serious offenses that warrant an investigation. Our client has suffered losses of huge amounts of money.”
The law firm further asserts that the subject is highly consequential to the public and continues to elicit responses and opposing viewpoints, potentially distorting the truth to the client’s detriment.
DPP Launches Investigation Into Ann Njeri’s Detention Amid Ksh17 Billion Oil Scandal
