Kenya Insights

Tag: Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC)

  • Blogger Arrested After Leaking Kidero’s Dirty Deals at KNTC

    Blogger Arrested After Leaking Kidero’s Dirty Deals at KNTC

    A Kenyan political blogger and former aide to Dr. Evans Kidero has been arrested on cyberbullying charges following social media posts critical of his former employer’s management of a state corporation, according to court documents obtained by this publication.

    Omondi Nyangla, along with fellow blogger Benjamin Ogana, faces charges under Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act after publishing allegations of nepotism and mismanagement against Dr. Evans Kidero, the current chairperson of the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) and former Governor of Nairobi County.

    Legal Action Following Critical Posts

    Court documents from the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi reveal that police officer CPL Opili Eric Edgar applied for search warrants to access the bloggers’ electronic devices, homes, and vehicles.

    The ex-parte notice of motion, dated April 19, 2025, cites “cyber harassment” as the basis for the legal action.

    The documents reviewed by Kenya Insights state that the investigation began after a complaint filed by Dr. Kidero’s personal assistant, who reported that the bloggers had written defamatory content on Facebook.

    The application specifically notes that Nyangla had accused Dr. Kidero of being responsible for “bringing Mumias sugar company down while he was the managing director” and alleged involvement in “family enclave defined by favoritism, backroom deals and systematic misuse of public resources.”

    Blogger’s Allegations

    According to posts shared alongside the court documents, Nyangla had published a detailed critique of Dr. Kidero’s leadership at the KNTC, alleging that Kidero had appointed his son Roney Kidero and maternal cousin Evance Ochieng to positions within the corporation.

    The blogger also claimed that patterns similar to those at Mumias Sugar Company and during Kidero’s tenure as Nairobi Governor were emerging at the state trading corporation.

    In his post, Nyangla wrote: “President William Ruto appointed him to lead KNTC in the public interest. Instead, the corporation is morphing into a family enclave—defined by favoritism, backroom deals, and the systematic misuse of public resources.”

    Criticism of Arrest

    The arrest has sparked criticism from fellow bloggers and social media commentators who view it as an attempt to silence political criticism.

    Blogger Gordon Opiyo compared Kidero’s actions unfavorably to those of other political figures, writing: “If Raila Odinga were to arrest everyone who criticized him, the way Kidero is doing, we would have tens of thousands of people in jail.”

    Another blogger, Newton Kapiyo, noted that Nyangla had previously worked to support Kidero: “The two guys in question; Benji Jakogana and Omondi Nyangla worked tirelessly during the last General Elections and the period before that to clean your already tainted name.”

    Questions About Due Process

    According to Opiyo’s post, concerns have been raised about the manner of Nyangla’s arrest, claiming that “Kidero sent this rogue Police Officer with a search warrant, and the rogue Police Officer took Nyangla, snatched his phone and never allowed him to call anyone,” which Opiyo stated “goes against arrest protocol.”

    The court documents reveal that investigators sought access to Facebook accounts, WhatsApp chats, and various electronic devices belonging to the respondents to gather evidence for their investigation.

    The case highlights ongoing tensions in Kenya regarding freedom of expression online and the use of cybercrime legislation against government critics.

    Media freedom advocates have previously expressed concern that Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act could be used to target journalists and bloggers for legitimate political criticism.

    Dr. Kidero, who served as Nairobi’s first governor from 2013 to 2017, has faced various corruption allegations throughout his career, including during his time as managing director of Mumias Sugar Company and as governor.

    He has consistently denied wrongdoing in these cases.

    Nyangla is expected to appear in court tomorrow to face the cyberbullying charges.

  • Kidero Scandal Rocks KNTC: Nepotism and Misuse of Power Alleged at State Corporation

    Kidero Scandal Rocks KNTC: Nepotism and Misuse of Power Alleged at State Corporation

    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, Probe Reveals The Evil Chain

    Kenyans Could Be Consuming Substandard Cooking Oil, Probe Reveals The Evil Chain

    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.

  • Former KNTC Directors Charged For Abuse Of Office

    Former KNTC Directors Charged For Abuse Of Office

    Two former employees of the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) were charged Tuesday in the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court with offenses related to procurement law violations and abuse of office.

    The two, Pamela Nduku Mutua, former Managing Director and Amos Juma Sikuku, former Supply Chain and Logistics Manager, face charges of Wilful Failure to Comply with Procurement Laws and Abuse of Office, respectively.

    According to a statement by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP), Pamela Nduku Mutua is charged with five counts of Wilful Failure to Comply with procurement regulations.

    The court heard that as Managing Director and Accounting Officer, she failed to report to the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority after the issuance of Notifications of Awards to Purma Holdings Limited, Multi Commerce FZC, Standard Petroleum LLC, and Makram Imports & Exports.

    ODPP also claims that she allegedly did not obtain the necessary approvals before commencing the procurement of bulk commodities.

    Amos Juma Sikuku is accused of having issued a prejudicial professional opinion in a tender for bulk commodities procurement, allegedly compromising the interests and rights of the Republic.

    They are alleged to have committed the offences between November 8, 2022, and December 5, 2022, within the Republic of Kenya.

    Both accused individuals pleaded not guilty to the charges before Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzyoki.

    The Magistrate granted Pamela Nduku Mutua bail of KSh 1.5 Million or a bond of Ksh. 5 million with one surety of the same amount while Amos Juma Sikuku on the other hand was granted bail of Ksh. 500,000 or a bond of Ksh. 1 million.

    They were also ordered to deposit their passports with the court and warned not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.

    The case prosecuted by Wesley Nyamache and Delroy Mwasaru, is scheduled for a pre-trial conference on August 12, 2024.