Twist as Lawyers for Businesswoman in Ksh.17B Oil Saga claims she’s sick, unable to walk

Self-described businesswoman Ann Njeri, who is at the center of a contentious oil consignment import worth Ksh.17 billion, is reportedly “sick and immobile,” according to her attorneys.

On Wednesday, the attorneys appeared before the National Assembly Energy Committee. The legislators stated that they had written a letter to Njeri on November 17 requesting that he come before the committee and provide additional information about the history of oil importation, including supporting documentation.

“Late in the evening, we received a letter from Njeri’s lawyers stating that it is with deep regret we inform you that Ann Njeri will not be available as she’s sick and immobile. She will appear at a later date,” Mwala MP Vincent Kawaya said.

The committee told Njeri’s lawyers that if their client continues making no-shows, they will issue a summon.

“We owe it to Kenyans to know the truth,” Kawaya noted, adding “If I was her, I would be here. We don’t read it in good faith that she decided to disappear.”

Diro Advocates, in a letter addressed National Assembly clerk on November 21, said “It is with humble regret that our client Ms. Ann Njeri Njoroge (Ann’s Import and Exports Enterprises Limited) will not be able to make it for the invitation to meet the Departmental Committee on Energy regarding the disputed oil consignment as she is indisposed and immobile.”

The letter seen by Citizen Digital further states that Ann will be available on a later date.

Njeri is linked to an alleged scheme in the procurement of petroleum products through a purported Government-to-Government agreement with Saudi Arabia.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir holds that the businesswoman forged documents and was not the owner of the consignment since her company is not even licensed to import petroleum.

However, an analysis by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah alleges that the government financed Njeri’s import.

Omtatah’s account says Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung’u funded the businesswoman in June to import the fuel and that she is only being used as collateral.

The businesswoman however denies any wrongdoing and her team claims she endured a five-day kidnap and was forced at gunpoint to renounce her claim of the oil.