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President William Ruto’s key ally Mary Wambui was yesterday listed as one of the influential figures in the Kenya Kwanza government whose company was contracted to supply edible oil that is the subject of controversy.

Wambui’s company, Purma Holdings, was among the 11 firms tabled in the Senate by embattled Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria that were part of the 22 suppliers that the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) prequalified to import various commodities into the country.

In a day of high drama that saw senators allied to Azimio la umoja Coalition walking out on Kuria, the CS disclosed that Purma Holdings was awarded a tender by KNTC to import 30,000 metric tons of rice, 12,500 litres of edible oil and 20,000 metric tons of beans.

Wambui, who is the chairperson of Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) Board and her daughter,  Purity Njoki Mungai, are said to be the directors of Purma Holdings.

The business lady was among President Ruto’s aggressive campaigners in the last election.

Kuria had appeared before the Senate to respond to various questions on a day when it emerged that individuals allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration had won the lucrative edible oil tender awarded by his Ministry.

Drama had earlier unfolded in the House when senators led by Leader of Minority Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi) and Deputy Minority Whip Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi) said they will not  listen to Kuria who has in the last few days made controversial statements insulting journalists and deriding a leading media house.

They claimed that Kuria should not be allowed to make any statement on the floor of the Senate as he was likely to use the opportunity to sanitise himself.

Kuria had appeared before senators during the weekly question time, a session allotted to Cabinet Secretaries every Wednesday morning following changes to the Standing Orders.

Reckless remarks

Addressing a news conference later, the senators took offence with Senate Speaker Amason Kingi for allowing him to access the chambers at a time his conduct had been questioned by various organisations for making reckless remarks.

Kingi allowed Kuria to address the House despite the protests.

And immediately Kingi authorised him to address the house, Kuria tabled a list of 11 companies, some owned by allies of high profiles in Kenya Kwanza government.

KNTC is currently handling the importation of four types of food products namely fertilisers, rice, beans and cooking oil. According to Kuria, KNTC procured commodities valued at Sh22.2 billion as at April 30 this year, out of which food items worth Sh4.8 billion have already been delivered.  “To address the rise in the cost of living, the Cabinet approved a framework to position the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) as the anchor of State initiatives to create a price stabiliser for essential household food items. As such, KNTC, as a trading company, will supplement other State initiatives by creating Strategic Reserves for staple and essential food items, vital farm inputs including fertiliser and any other goods necessary for ensuring stability in the prices of core goods consumed by Kenyans,” said Kuria.

In his address to the Senate, the CS explained that the procurement for commodities or items for normal businesses do not constitute procurement in the meaning construed under Section 2 of the Public Procurement and Disposals Act.