
Ann Njeri, a businesswoman who reportedly imported Ksh 17 billion worth of diesel from Turkey, has gone missing after recording a statement at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) regarding a dispute over the ownership of the fuel. Two companies, Galana Energies Limited and Ramco, have both claimed ownership of the 100,000 metric tons of diesel.
Njeri’s lawyer, Cliff Ombeta, has stated that her phone is switched off and that the DCI denies having her in custody, despite evidence to the contrary.
“Her phone is off and no one can trace her. The officers say they don’t know anything about her,” said Ombeta.
Njeri received a High Court order in Mombasa to prevent the ship from leaving the dock and the diesel from being offloaded until the ownership dispute is resolved. She is requesting that KPA, KPL, KRA, Ramco, and Galana deposit Ksh 17 billion in an interest-earning account until the case is heard and determined.
“The reason why Njeri is in custody is so that they can siphon the fuel from the ship into KPL containers and once it is there, then we have a problem because are we able to recover it back. KPA, KRA, KPL, Galana and Ramco must deposit an equivalent of Ksh 17 billion in an interest earning account for the case to go on in the meantime,” said Ombeta.
According to Ombeta, Njeri has a long history in the fuel import and export business and has a good credit history with her financiers.
The oil was loaded in Turkey and passed through the port of Jeddah, with Njeri importing it alongside an Israeli partner. The ship carrying the oil was waiting at high seas for Njeri to find a buyer in Kenya since she didn’t have an import license.
“The oil was loaded in Turkey Jedda port and all the ports she passed it shows she paid insurance. So who is Ramco and where did they appear from to claim the fuel yet they have no paper trail,” said Ombeta.
“How is it that Galana and Ramco are questioning where Njeri got her money. That is none of their business. She has been in the fuel import business for 33 years. So she is not new in the business,” said Ombeta.
Ombeta questioned the legitimacy of Ramco’s claim to the fuel, as they had no evidence of ownership.
He defended Njeri’s financial standing and experience in the fuel import business, saying it wasn’t Galana and Ramco’s concern to question her funding sources.
Njeri imported 100,000 metric tons of diesel worth Ksh 17 billion, intending to sell it. However, she faced challenges due to the lack of a government-to-government import permit.
“Njeri imported 100,000 metric tons of diesel worth Ksh 17 billion which was to be sold to any party that was willing to buy from her. Apart from that, she has tried to bring the fuel into the country. She is aware of the rules of how you can import fuel when it is Government to Government and has found few individuals who tried to help her since she has no import permit,” said Ombeta.
Galana and Ramco falsely claimed ownership of the fuel, which Njeri reported to the port police. Galana insisted they were qualified importers acting on behalf of international oil companies, as instructed by Ramco.
According to Ombeta, Njeri reported that a ship had docked at port without her authorization on November 4th, 2023. She reported the matter to port police and was later informed that Galana and Ramco were claiming ownership of the fuel.
“When she followed with port police, she was told that the people claiming the fuel were Galana Enterprise which she has nothing to do with. Galana said that the oil products belong to them and they are the qualified importers through Ramco who had instructed them, Galana being an agent for international oil companies,” said Ombeta.
Ombeta disputed the authenticity of the documents presented by the companies and said that Njeri filed a case in Mombasa High Court to arrest the ship and prevent any transactions until an inter party hearing.
“She filed a case in Mombasa High Court and got orders where the ship was to be arrested and no transactions were to take place on the ship until an inter party hearing scheduled for Tuesday,” said Ombeta.
Njeri was later called to report to DCI headquarters where she met with Head of DCI Amin and Berich in charge of investigations.