- Njeri claimed she is sick and immobile.
- MPs doubted her excuse , demanding medical proof.
Image: FILE
Anne Njeri, the businesswoman behind the Sh17 billion oil consignments, failed to appear before MPs on Wednesday deepening further controversy surrounding the oil cargo.
Njeri who is claiming the ownership of the contested consignment, wrote to the committee—without supporting documentation— claiming she is indisposed and immobile, hence could not honour a date with MPs.
MPs however doubted her explanation demanding medical proof.
The embattled businesswoman was scheduled to apprise the National Assembly Energy Committee on the details of the consignment including proof of ownership as she claims.
On Tuesday evening, Njeri through Diro Advocates wrote to the committee saying she is unwell and cannot make it for the session.
“It is with humble regret that our client Ms Ann Njeri Njoroge (Ann’s Import and Exports Enterprise Limited) will not be able to make it for the invitation to meet the Departmental Committee on Energy regarding the disputed oil consignment as she is indisposed and immobile,” the letter reads.
“She will however be available at a later date convenient with the committee.”
Angry MPs however dismissed Njeri’s apology demanding that she is compelled to appear to substantiate her claim on the multi-billion shilling oil consignment.
The lawmakers read bad faith in Njeri’s no-show on a matter of national importance.
The committee chairman and Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka, described Njeri’s snub unfortunate, especially after making unsubstantiated weighty claims.
Musyoka said the committee will have to compel the witness to appear and clarify on the committee’s concerns around the controversial oil import.
“It must be known that when we have matters of national interest, you are invited by the committee and given a chance to give your part of the story, and if you fail, then you are compelled to appear,” Musyoka said.
“When you make wild allegations you must appear to defend them. We don’t read good faith when someone fails to appear on this very weighty matter.”
Njeri shot to the national limelight after claiming ownership of the 100,000 metric tonnes of fuel valued at Sh17 billion which government officials claim belongs to Galana Energies Limited.
Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga—a member of the Energy Committee— questioned Njeri’s ownership claim disclosing the businesswoman is not a licensed oil importer.
For one to engage in the oil importation business, he or she must be licensed by the Kenya Pipeline Authority (KPA).
“This matter is so weighty, this woman must report to this committee no matter the situation,” Chonga said.
The Kilifi South MP said there is more than meets the eye in the consignment which only Njeri can help establish.
“This woman must be presented before us and tell us the truth on whatever is being alleged,” he said.
The MPs also want the oil dealer details of the consignment, the country of origin, as well as the intended destination.
Njeri was further expected to furnish the MPs with relevant documents to back her claim of ownership.
The lawmakers also want to know the method used by the businesswoman to purchase the oil cargo.
“We want to know whether the payment was guaranteed through a bank and which bank if that is the case. If at all the settlement was in cash we need an explanation how this happened,” Musyoka said.
The committee also rescheduled its meeting with Energy CS Davis Chirchir that was earlier planned for Thursday until after a session with Njeri.
Chirchir will apprise the committee on the government-to-government oil deal between Kenya and Middle-East countries.