MPs fury as Njoroge snubs House summons on oil deal

A house committee has instructed the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly to demand for medical records and evidence to prove that Anne Njeri Njoroge, the businesswoman behind the Sh17 billion oil consignment is unwell after she failed to appear before it for grilling.

The MPs who sit in the departmental committee on Energy chaired by Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka also directed the clerk’s office to get in touch with her and ensure they produce her before the committee in their next sitting.

The committee’s decision comes after Njoroge’s lawyers wrote to the committee saying she would not be appearing before it as she was indisposed and immobile.

Reads the letter from Diro Advocates LLP: “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.”

It adds: “She will however be available at a later date convenient with the Committee. Our instructions are to implore you to indulge her for the scheduled meeting of 22nd November starting at 10.00am and further excuse her presence.”

But despite the letter, the angry MPs dismissed her as an escapist for failing to honour the invitations yet the matter she is involved in has an effect on all Kenyans.

The lawmakers read bad faith in Njeri’s no-show on a matter of national importance.

Musyoka who described Njuguna’s snub as unfortunate especially after making unsubstantiated claims said the Committee will have to compel the witness to appear and clarify on the Committee’s concerns around the controversial oil import.

According to him, Njugua should have honoured the committee’s invitation to enable her explain the allegations that she made.

Letter of credit

He said that as a committee they wanted her to appear before it and explain whether she paid for the consignment using Kenya shillings, dollars or used a letter of credit from the bank as the monies involved are huge.

He said: “It must be known that when we have matters of national interest, you are invited by the Committee and given a chance to give your part of the story and if fail then you are compelled to appear.”

He added: “If I was the one who has such monies amounting to SH 17 billion and in hospital, I would spend Sh1 billion on doctors to accompany me to such a meeting because I want to prove that this consignment is mine.”

Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga claimed that Njuguna is not a licensed oil marketer.

Chonga said: “This matter is so weighty; this woman must report to this Committee no matter the situation. We should not even have entertained the letter from the lawyer. This woman must present herself,” Chonga said.

He said there is more than meets the eye in the consignment which only Njeri can help establish.
Added Chonga: “This woman must be presented before us and tell us the truth on whatever is being alleged.”

For one to engage in the oil importation business, he or she must be licensed by the Kenya Pipeline Authority (KPA).

Last week KPA dismissed Njoroge’s narrative and denied any knowledge of her alleged involvement in the importation of the consignment.