In the aftermath of an ongoing KSh 16.5 billion edible oils graft investigation at the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC), Pamela Mutua has formally exited her role as the managing director. From right, CS Cooperatives Simon Chelugui, CS Public Service Moses Kuria, KNTC Managing Director Pamela Mutua, and board of directors chairman at the launch of oil dispensing machines. This move is part of a broader restructuring effort, with five senior positions, including Mutua’s, being declared vacant. Jobs declared vacant Apart from Mutua’s position, other senior jobs at KNTC that were declared vacant include; General manager, Purchasing and sales Manager, Warehousing Manager, Finance and Treasury Manager, Business Development The call for interested candidates to apply for these positions is open until February 12. Why the shakeup at KNTC The shakeup at KNTC comes in the wake of a controversy surrounding the importation of 125,000 metric tonnes of duty-free cooking oil, leading to investigations into senior officers of the State-owned agency. In June 2023, it came to light that companies affiliated with individuals connected to the government were exclusively selected to acquire edible oils through KNTC. Peter Njoroge assumed the role of the KNTC head in December, albeit in an acting capacity. KEBS says imported edible oil is not poisonous Earlier, the Kenya Bureau of Standards flagged the imported 125,000 metric tonnes of duty-free cooking oil aimed at lowering market prices, declaring it unfit for human consumption. Later KEBS changed its tune and refuted allegations that the KSh 17 billion edible oil shipment brought in by the government via the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) was unsafe for human consumption. “From the tests done, the edible oil complied with all the health and safety parameters of the applicable Kenya Standard (KS EAS 769: 2019). However, the sampled edible oils did not meet the Vitamin A levels specified in the Kenyan Standard. This is not a health and safety parameter, KEBS communicated the results to KNTC,” the KEBS statement read.
by Elijah Ntongai