MPs have given Anne Njeri – the businesswoman behind Sh17 billion oil imports another chance to explain the controversial consignment.
Njeri was to appear before the National Assembly’s Energy committee chaired by Yatta MP Vincent Musyoka on November 22 but failed to turn up claiming to be indisposed and immobile.
MPs, however, doubted her explanation demanding medical proof.
The lawmakers read bad faith in Njeri’s no-show on a matter of national importance.
The proprietor of Ann’s Imports and Exports had also failed to turn up on November 17, 2023.
The Musyoka Committee has now invited the businesswoman to appear before them on December 18, 2023, to clear concerns surrounding the multi-billion cargo.
In issuing the invite, the Committee expressed dissatisfaction with Njeri’s no-show last month and vowed to summon the proprietor of Ann’s Imports and Exports should she ignore the third meeting.
“The Committee takes exception to your failure to honour its invitations on the two occasions. Nonetheless, the Committee has scheduled to meet you on December 18, 2023, at 10 am in the Mini-Chamber County Hall, Parliament Buildings for you to submit the requested information and respond to other issues that may be raised during the meeting,” the invite dated December 7 reads.
“Be advised that failure to appear before the Committee this time may result in the summons for your appearance being issued in line with National Assembly Standing Order 191 (1) (a) and (b).”
The Committee also invited Capt. William Ruto, Kenya Ports Authority MD to appear on the same day over the same matter of the oil cargo.
Njeri has been dodging the Committee which has been questioning amongst others her claims of ownership of the multi-billion oil consignment.
The National Assembly Energy Committee has been pushing that Njeri provide evidence of the details of the consignment including proof of ownership as she claims.
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.
The MPs also want the oil dealer's details of the consignment, the country of origin, as well as the intended destination.
Njeri is 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 of how this happened,” Musyoka said.
Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga—a member of the Energy Committee— questioned Njeri’s ownership claim disclosing the businesswoman is not a licenced oil importer.
For one to engage in the oil importation business, he or she must be licenced 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.
