On Tuesday, a former head of Kenya’s primary state-owned trading company faced court charges for abuse of office and other offences related to a 2022 edible oil import scheme, which local media estimated to have cost over $120 million.
Pamela Mutua, the former managing director of the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC), was arraigned in an anti-corruption court in Nairobi. She was accused of violating procurement laws by awarding a contract to Purma Holdings Limited. This marks the first significant action by President William Ruto’s administration to tackle Kenya’s pervasive corruption, following deadly protests against tax hikes and corruption that resulted in over 50 deaths.
Both Mutua and KNTC have denied the charges. The imports, reportedly valued at 16 billion shillings ($123.55 million) by domestic media, were not quantified in the court charges. Mutua, who faces six charges, was released on bail and is scheduled to reappear in court on August 12. Another KNTC official was also charged.
The edible oil import scheme, initiated by Ruto’s government after he assumed office in late 2022, aimed to reduce commodity prices. However, it has been criticized for primarily benefiting well-connected importers. KNTC had contracted private companies to import oil mainly from Asia. Initially, the government’s standards body deemed the oil unfit for consumption, but later cleared the consignment.
Following recent protests that led to the dismissal of all but one minister, President Ruto has pledged to amend laws to facilitate the swift prosecution of corruption suspects.
