The former Kenya National Trading Corporation Managing Director, Pamela Nduku Mutua has been charged at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court.

She is accused of procurement irregularities in relation to the edible oil “scandal” of 2022.

According to the prosecution, Ms. Mutua willfully failed to comply with applicable laws relating to procurement contrary to section 45 (2) (b) as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act of 2006.

She was charged that “On 5th December 2022, within the republic of Kenya, being the MD and the accounting officer of the KNTC, 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.”

In the three other charges, Ms. Mutua is accused of committing similar offences by failing to report to PPRA after 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 December 5,2022.

The suspect 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 on November 8, 2022.

She was charged alongside the KNTC former Supply chain and logistics manager Amos Sikuku of abuse of office in contravention of section 101 as read with section 102 (a) of the Penal Code.

According to the prosecution, the two on 16th November 2022, within the republic of Kenya, being the Supply Chain manager of KNTC arbitrarily issued a professional opinion in a tender of bulk commodities that was prejudicial to the interests and rights of the republic.

Appearing before Milimani Anti-Corruption Court Magistrate Thomas Nzioki, the two denied the charges.

Ms. Mutua was released on a bond of Sh5 million with an alternative cash bail of Sh1.5 million while Sikuku was released on a bond of Sh1 million with an alternative cash bail of Sh500, 000.

The matter will proceed on August 12.