Former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero is again at the center of a brewing scandal, this time as Chair of the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC).
Allegations of nepotism, favoritism, and misuse of public resources have cast a dark shadow over his leadership, raising questions about the integrity of one of Kenya’s key state institutions.
Sources reveal that Kidero’s son, Roney Kidero, and maternal cousin, Evance Ochieng’, have secured prominent positions at KNTC’s Industrial Area headquarters, occupying offices adjacent to the boardroom.
The appointments, which appear to prioritize family ties over merit, have sparked outrage among observers who see a troubling pattern of favoritism reminiscent of Kidero’s past tenures.
“This is not reform. It’s a consolidation of family power within a national institution,” a source familiar with KNTC operations stated. “The same nepotism that plagued Mumias Sugar and Nairobi County is now eroding KNTC.”
Kidero’s track record invites scrutiny. As CEO of Mumias Sugar Company, he oversaw its catastrophic collapse, devastating livelihoods in western Kenya.
Later, as Nairobi’s first Governor, his administration was marred by fiscal indiscipline and systemic corruption, shattering public trust in his technocratic credentials.
Now, at KNTC, critics argue that Kidero is repeating history, transforming a public institution into a hub of personal enrichment.
Appointed by President William Ruto to steer KNTC in the public interest, Kidero’s leadership has instead been marked by allegations of backroom deals and the systematic sidelining of qualified professionals in favor of loyalists and kin.
The presence of “familiar surnames and recycled networks” within KNTC, as one insider put it, has fueled perceptions of state capture.
Adding to the controversy is the silence of KNTC Managing Director Lucy Anangwe.
Her failure to address the alleged irregularities and labor violations has raised questions about her complicity or competence.
“Leadership that ignores rot becomes part of it,” the source remarked.
Kidero’s trajectory—from the ashes of Mumias to the scandals at City Hall, and now the erosion at KNTC—serves as a stark warning of the dangers of entrusting public duty to individuals who blur the line between service and self-interest.
Kenyans could be consuming substandard cooking oil due to negligence by officials from the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC), Senators heard Thursday.
A probe by Senators heard that a total of 73 consignments of cooking oil was imported into the country by KNTC last year, out of which 44 were inspected by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
The quality assurance agency submitted that eight out of the 44 consignments were found to contain a total 293, 800 20-litre jerrycans (5.88 million litres) of substandard cooking oil. It is this cooking oil that Senators heard could have made its way into the market.
Appearing before the Senate Committee on Trade and Industrialisation, KEBS Chief Executive Officer Esther Ngari submitted that the edible oil shipments arrived in the country on diverse dates between May 2023 and November 2023.
She explained that out of the 44 consignments, KEBS targeted eight consignments for destination inspection. “Samples of edible oilwere drawn from the consignments for testing against the requirements of KS EAS 769; 2019 Kenya Standard Specification for fortified edible oils and fats,” stated Ngari.
“Out of the eight sampled consignments, a total of seven failed in vitamin A while one consignment failed in both insoluble impurities and Vitamin A,” she added.
The committee chaired by Kajiado Senator Lenku Ole Kanar was also told that KEBS recommended for the holding and destruction of the consignments by KNTC or they be returned to source. According to data relayed by the committee, the whereabouts of these consignments are now not clear.
Ngari revealed that the first consignment of the edible oil in 53,200 20- litre Jerrycans was rejected on May 6, 2023. It was imported by Malaysian firm Multi Commerce FZC.
The second consignment of 66,500 jerrycans was rejected on June 10, 2023 and the third was rejected in June. It contained 39,900 jerrycans. The fourth was also rejected in June, holding 40,260 jerrycans, another on October 1 which had 13,420 jerrycans of 20-liter cooking oilimported by Ascent Groups.
Others included a consignment on October 20 and containing 26,840 jerrycans from Inno Wangs, and two more in November each containing 26, 840 jerrycans which were rejected on November 8, 2023.
Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago awondered why KEBS failed to recall the other 36 out of 44 consignment imports from the market.
“…When you test something and you find that out of 10, seven samples have failed, what does that say about the product? Would you still go ahead and approve the rest of the shipment or should the sample serve as a redflag?” inquired Mandago.
In her defense, Ngari stated, “We had already rejected the oil… we did not destroy the oilbecause by the time the required 30 days were lapsing, the consignments were already subject to an investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI),” she stated.
She added, “We communicated to KNTC the action that needed to be taken…destruction is usually a multi-agency undertaking.”
In response to Mandago’s question, Quality Assurance and Inspection director at KEBS Geoffrey Murira said that a majority of the consignment came with a certificate of conformity, thus there was no need for quality re-testing. He explained that SGS which is a company contracted by KEBS to do pre-testing of the products at the country of exportation, had issued the consignments with a certificate of consignment which shows that they had complied with relevant Kenya standards and regulations.
CS Moses Kuria, the Minister for Trade, Industry, and Investments in Kenya, has become a symbol of disgrace and corruption.
As he faced the Senate to respond to queries regarding the pre-qualification of companies for importing commodities through the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC), Kuria’s misdeeds came under intense scrutiny.
Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry CS Moses Kuria. [Photo/Courtesy]Not only is he accused of corrupt practices and flouting procurement laws, but he has also stooped to using vulgar language and launching personal attacks on media outlets that dared to expose his transgressions.
Kuria’s alleged corruption, unethical behavior, and overall incompetence have turned him into an embarrassment for himself and the entire country.
CS Moses Kuria: Corruption Allegations and Brazen Disregard for Procurement Laws
The pre-qualification process of companies for importing commodities through the KNTC is designed to ensure transparency and fairness.
However, disturbing allegations have emerged suggesting that CS Moses Kuria exploited his position for personal gain, manipulating the procurement procedures to favor some controversial and fake companies.
Such acts, if proven true, not only signify a grave betrayal of public trust but also showcase a blatant disregard for established laws meant to create a level playing field for businesses in Kenya.
UPDATE: Purma Holdings Directors Escape at City Hotel
2 directors of Purma Holdings Limited being sought over Kshs. 2.2 billion tax evasion court case, this evening escaped a police dragnet at a local city hotel where they were residing.
Kenya’s Minister for Trade, Industry, and Investments, CS Moses Kuria, actively favored Check Puma Holdings, a company owned by President Ruto’s close ally, Mary Wambui.
Wambui is a notorious figure associated with numerous major scandals, particularly those involving the embezzlement of public funds.
Nightingale Enterprises Ltd, one of the firms that is owned by Communications Authority (CA) Board Chairperson Mary Wambui Mungai has been awarded contracts for laying of fiber optic cables and related accessories by the ICT authority. Pictured Mary Wambui with President Ruto pic.twitter.com/K9yY47tGjy
The public and opposition politicians allied to the Azimio outfit have rightfully unleashed a wave of condemnation against Moses Kuria, demanding his immediate resignation.
They argue that his actions undermine Kenya’s struggle against corruption, erode transparency efforts, and discourage foreign investments.
Kuria’s alleged ethical lapses and blatant abuse of power reveal his unsuitability for public office, as he betrays the trust bestowed upon him by the electorate.
Did Azimio Senators Walk Out As CS Moses Kuria Appeared In The Chambers?
Senators allied to the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition have clarified their reasons for leaving the Senate session on Wednesday. They walked out after Speaker Amason Kingi denied a motion to interrogate CS Moses Kuria regarding media attacks.
Speaker Kingi stated that the motion did not adhere to the proper procedure for filing a motion in the House, as it violated the standing orders and was deemed inadmissible.
Following their departure, the senators criticized the Senate for what they deemed as unconstitutional behavior.
They raised concerns about inviting Kuria to the Senate without a motion to censure him. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna argued against allowing cabinet secretaries with “questionable conduct” to enter the Senate chambers.
He highlighted that a court case has already been filed seeking to prevent CSs from appearing before the chambers.
Vulgar Language and Media Intimidation
In a desperate attempt to salvage his tarnished reputation, CS Moses Kuria resorted to vile language and baseless attacks against NMG, a reputable media outlet that dared to shed light on his contravention of the law during the importation of controversial cooking oil.
His vulgar outbursts not only violate the principles of a free press but also demonstrate a complete lack of professionalism and respect for the vital role media plays in upholding democratic values.
Kuria, media slur and adverts threat
Controversial Kuria issued a threat to take action against Nation Media Group, a prominent media organization in Kenya. His statement drew criticism from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and numerous media stakeholders.
As the Trade, Investment, and Industrialization minister, Kuria declared his determination to prohibit any government agency from advertising with the NMG in the future.
Tarnishing ‘CS Moses Kuria’s’ Reputation and Kenya’s International Standing
Moses Kuria’s alleged corruption, procurement irregularities, and offensive behavior not only cast a dark shadow over his own reputation but also undermine Kenya’s standing in the international community.
Corruption remains an enduring problem in the country, and when a high-ranking government official like Kuria is implicated in such acts, it sends a deeply negative message to both domestic and international stakeholders.
The allegations against Kuria jeopardize public trust in the government’s commitment to fighting corruption and building a transparent business environment, thereby tarnishing Kenya’s image as a whole.
Reckless
Media practitioners, along with other key stakeholders such as the Media Council of Kenya, Media Owners Association, Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ), Kenya Editors Guild (KEG), and Political Journalists Association of Kenya (PJAK), individually expressed their strong disapproval of Moses Kuria’s statements.
They condemned his remarks as reckless and unwarranted, demanding that he be held accountable for his use of “foul language.”
Conclusion
Moses Kuria, Kenya’s Minister for Trade, Industry, and Investments, has become a glaring example of corruption, contempt for procurement laws, and disregard for ethical conduct.
The mounting calls for his resignation, from both the public and Azimio politicians, signify a collective outrage over his alleged transgressions.
Kuria’s vulgar language and attacks on the media only reinforce the view that he is unsuited for public office.
It is imperative that thorough investigations are conducted, and if the allegations are substantiated, swift action must be taken to uphold the rule of law and restore public trust in the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Moses Kuria’s legacy will forever be marred by corruption and his position as a symbol of disgrace in Kenyan politics.
