Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has admitted that Ann Njoroge, a businesswoman who went missing after allegedly recording a statement at DCI Headquarters had visited his office in search of help.
The CS has broken his silence over the controversial importation and ownership of a fuel consignment worth Ksh.17 billion that has led to the disappearance of Ann Njoroge who is battling for the cargo with two oil marketing companies.
Speaking during a tree-planting event in Baringo County, the CS stated that the visit came five days after what she claimed to be her consignment of 100,000 metric tonnes of diesel was berthed at the port of Mombasa without her authorization.
“Hiyo kesi iko kortini Mombasa I am aware a lady called Ann came to my office ameenda huko kwa port akasema meli ni yake hiyo meli ilifika kitambo brought in by a company called Galana and it has been discharged so we will work to cooperate tujue ukweli iko wapi so but the case is in court at the moment,” said the CS.
The Cs further stated that the documentation in their possession shows the consignment belongs to Galana Energies, one of the oil marketing companies handpicked to supply fuel to other oil marketers in the government-to-government deal.
On the other hand, the management of Kenya Ports Authority who on Sunday were accused of offloading some of the cargo has come out accusing Ann of forging documents she used to claim ownership of the consignment.
Speaking in a press conference, KPA managing Director Captain William Ruto and Board Chairperson Benjamin Tayari, the management said Galana Energies Limited had the genuine importation documents.
“Ile bill of lading amesema ni yake na ndio hii na ndio ukweli, bill of lading imekuwa signed na shipper kuwa ni yeye, carrier ni yeye things cannot add up.” the captain stated.
KPA say records in their possession show that the vessel was carrying 93,460 metric tonnes of gas oil as opposed to the 100,000 metric tonnes of diesel as claimed by Ann Njoroge.
The gasoil was loaded between 26th and 28th September at Yanbu-Samref terminal, after which she departed for anchorage at Jeddah.
The ship departed for Mombasa on September 30th according to KPA.
KPA further added that in it’s records out of the manifested 93,490 metric tonnes of Gasoil, 49,091 metric tonnes was destined to Kenya with the shipper being Armco Trading Fujairah as nominated by the Ministry of Energy and petroleum.
The remainder 44,368 metric tonnes were transit cargo for neighbouring countries including Uganda, South Sudan and DR Congo.
KPA insists there are no documents to show Ann’s Import and Export Enterprises Limited as the owner of the cargo.
KPA questioned claims by the businesswoman that the vessel originated from Azerbeijan Republic and loaded at Jeddah as they point out inconsistencies.
The parastatal says documents in their possession show Yanbu in Saudi Arabia as the origin of the Cargo.
They have also questioned why the bill of lading is not signed by the Master of the vessel while Ann claims that the vessel was loaded on October 9th yet the ship had arrived in Mombasa on October 11th.
