The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has said former employees of Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) have been charged with violation of procurement laws and released on bail.
Pamela Mutua and Amos Sikuku are the two former state employees who were charged but pleaded not guilty to the charges before Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki.
“Two former employees of the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) were charged today in the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court with offences 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,” ODPP said in a statement posted on their X handle on Tuesday, July 31, 2024.
According to ODPP, 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. She also allegedly did not obtain the necessary approvals before commencing the procurement of bulk commodities,” the statement added.
On the other hand, Sikuku is accused of having issued a prejudicial professional opinion in a tender for bulk commodity procurement, and this, according to ODPP, compromised 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.
Bail terms
The prosecution unit also revealed the bail terms granted to the accused.
“The Magistrate granted Pamela Nduku Mutua bail of Ksh1.5 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 Ksh500,000 or a bond of Ksh1 million.
“They were also ordered to deposit their passports with the court and warned not to interfere with prosecution witnesses,” it added.
The case is scheduled for a pre-trial conference on August 12, 2024, ODPP said.