Former Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) Managing Director Pamela Mutua is under scrutiny for her alleged role in the loss of Sh6.6 billion in a controversial edible oil importation project, as revealed during a Senate inquiry on October 8, 2024.
The scandal involved financial mismanagement, underpricing, and damaged consignments, which occurred during her tenure.
Ex-KNTC boss Pamela Mutua and Ex-Trade CS Moses Kuria. Photo: Citizen Digital Source: X
The Senate Trade Committee heard that KNTC, under Mutua’s leadership, sold a large batch of cooking oil at a significantly lower price of Sh3,028 per 10-liter jerrican instead of Sh3,700, leading to a loss of Sh540 million.
Further, overpayments amounting to Sh2.5 billion were discovered, alongside additional losses from damaged oil consignments and warehousing costs.
Current KNTC acting Managing Director Peter Njoroge testified that the financial discrepancies originated during Mutua’s term.
He explained that part of the blame lies in price variations and poor management of supplier contracts, with KNTC now seeking to recover the lost funds.
Former KNTC boss Pamela Mutua during a past media presser. Photo: Nation Source: Facebook
He also noted that the corporation has outstanding payables amounting to Sh13.1 million for warehousing and transport.
Kajiado Senator Seki Lenku, chairing the inquiry, questioned why the oil was sold at a lower price, asking who benefitted from the underpricing.
Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute criticized the mismanagement, calling it a betrayal of the taxpayers who were expecting relief from high oil prices through this initiative.
Mutua, who is no longer in office, has not commented on the allegations.
The edible oil importation project, initiated in 2022 to combat rising living costs, has now become a symbol of corruption and government failure.
The Senate’s investigation into the scandal continues as the public demands accountability from all those involved. (Source: Nation Africa)
