NAIROBI, Kenya – The Milimani Anti-Corruption Court has approved the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to withdraw corruption charges against Amos Juma Sikuku, former Supply Chain and Logistics Manager at the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC), citing insufficient evidence.
Sikuku, who was facing a single count of abuse of office in connection with the 2022 edible oil and rice import scandal, was charged alongside former KNTC Managing Director Pamela Nduku Mutua, who remains in court facing five counts of violating procurement laws.
Principal Magistrate Charles Ondieki ruled that discontinuing the case against Sikuku was in the public interest and necessary to prevent abuse of the court process.
“The evidence review revealed that the case against Sikuku could not be sustained. He was charged merely for issuing a professional opinion, which was not binding on KNTC’s accounting officer,” the DPP noted.
Sikuku and Mutua were originally charged on July 30, 2024, following investigations into alleged irregularities in KNTC’s rice procurement.
So far, six of the prosecution’s 33 listed witnesses have testified. The court also permitted the DPP to amend the charges and allowed Mutua to recall witnesses for further cross-examination.
Mutua has denied all charges and remains out on bond as proceedings continue.
