By Antynet Ford
Former Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) Managing Director Pamela Mutua has been charged with procurement irregularities for failure to report the award of tenders to the Public Procurement and Regulatory Authority in 2022 concerning the multi-billion edible oils scandal.
Former KNTC MD Pamela Mutua now faces a total of five counts including the accusation of deliberately failing to report to the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) after issuance of the notification of award of the tenders to four firms.
“On December 5, 2022, within the Republic of Kenya, being the Former KNTC MD and the accounting officer of the KNTC, you willfully failed to comply with the law relating to the procurement, to wit by failing to report to the PPRA after issuance of notification of award to Purma Holdings Limited,” the charge sheet stated in part.
Even though no money was lost during the process, the two are accused of willful failure to comply with the procurement regulations.
Pamela is accused of failing to report to PPRA after the award of tenders to three other companies- Multi Commerce FZC, Standard Petroleum LLC and Makram Imports and Exports which she is accused of committing on the same date.
She is also accused of failing to comply with section 104 (c) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act (PPAD) of 2015 by failing to obtain the requisite approval before the commencement of procurement of bulk commodities.
The former MD is accused of committing the offence on November 8, 2022.
She is charged alongside former KNTC Supply chain and logistics manager Amos Sikuku who faces the charge of abuse of office in contravention of section 101 as read with section 102 (a) of the Penal Code.
“On November 16, 2022, within the Republic of Kenya, being the Supply Chain manager of KNTC you arbitrarily issued a professional opinion in a tender of bulk commodities that was prejudicial to the interests and rights of the republic.” Sikuku’s charge sheet read in part.
The two suspects denied the charges before Milimani Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki and pleaded for lenient cash bail through their advocate.
They told Nzioka to take notice that there is no charge of conferment of any payments or fraudulent acquisition of public property in the charges and no public money was lost.
Lawyers representing Pamela and her co-accussed protested today that the media had reported that those facing charges of over millions yet the charge sheet in court did not mention any amounts of money; pleading with the court to caution the media to remain unbiased.
Pamela was released on a bond of Sh5 million and an alternative cash bail of Sh1.5 million. Sikuku was released on a bond of Sh1 million and an alternative cash bail of Sh500, 000.
She left KNTC in January after the state agency advertised her position alongside four others after they were declared vacant by the corporation’s board.