Kenya charges ex-state firm head over edible oil import graft
Pamela Mutua, former head of Kenya’s state-owned trading company, was charged with abuse of office and other offenses for her role in a 2022 edible oil import scheme worth $123.55 million. Mutua, who denies the charges, allegedly flouted procurement laws in awarding a contract to Purma Holdings Limited. The case is the first notable attempt by President William Ruto’s government to tackle Kenya’s rampant corruption, following deadly protests against tax hikes and graft.
NAIROBI, July 30 (Reuters) – A former head of Kenya’s main state-owned trading company was charged in court on Tuesday with abuse of office and other offences over a 2022 scheme to import edible oil that local media said cost more than $120 million.
The arraignment of Pamela Mutua is the first notable attempt by President William Ruto’s government to rein in Kenya’s rampant corruption, after more than 50 people were killed in deadly protests against tax hikes and the graft.
Mutua, who was managing director of the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC), was accused of flouting procurement laws in the award of a contract to a company called Purma Holdings Limited at an anti-corruption court in the capital.
She and KNTC both deny the charges. The imports were worth 16 billion shillings ($123.55 million), domestic media outlets have reported, but there was no mention of the figure in the charges presented in court.
Source Link : https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/kenya-charges-ex-state-firm-head-over-edible-oil-import-graft-2024-07-30/
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