2 Days of Horror: Oil Billionaire Ann Njeri Reveals Details of Her Disappearance
- by BRIAN KIMANI on Tuesday, 14 November 2023
Oil tycoon Ann Njeri Njoroge, the woman involved in the controversial Ksh17 billion oil consignment, narrated her ordeal, which unfolded shortly after recording a statement at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters.
While addressing journalists outside the High Court in Mombasa on Tuesday, Njoroge disclosed that she was dumped in a forest after the abductors absolved her of any accusations levelled against her.
Her plight, she alleged, began moments after she applied for permits at the Energy Petroleum and Regulatory Authority (EPRA) as part of the due procedure for importing the 100,000 metric tonnes of oil.
However, her consignment was held at the Mombasa Port by the authorities, occasioning her to seek assistance from Energy CS Davis Chirchir. Chirchir, on Monday, concurred with Njoroge, stating that he directed her to file a report at the DCI headquarters.
Missing oil tycoon Ann Njoroge alongside her lawyer, Cliff Ombeta in Mombasa County on November 14, 2023.
“I applied at EPRA, paid according to the law and been waiting to receive a permit. As I waited, I went to visit CS Chirchir who told me that the oil didn’t belong to me but to Galana Energies Limited. I told him that I had not sold it to anyone or signed anything with Galana Energies Limited hence it’s mine. He told me it’s not possible and directed me to report to the DCI,” she stated.
Moments later, she caught herself in a web of what she argued was a well-choreographed abduction. Njoroge was allegedly directed to record a statement in another adjacent room, only to find that it was a basement.
“The officers asked me if I had taken any drugs, and I said no. When they took me to a car, I was told to surrender my phone and give out the password, and I complied. They took me to an unknown place. I asked why I was separated from my lawyers, but they didn’t respond.”
The missing businesswoman narrated that she kept pleading with her abductors to release her, but they dismissed her prayers. Owing to the fear of losing her life, she began crying and begging them to spare her life.
“When we arrived at an unknown location at night, I pleaded with them not to kill me, as my family was depending on me. They assured me that nothing would happen,” she added.
Shortly after, another car allegedly arrived, and Njoroge was blindfolded before being ferried to another location. Here, she was chained to a room, and a balaclava was placed over her head, sparing her eyes only.
Njoroge claimed that she realized she was highly guarded by security guards who were dressed in full uniform. Inside the room also was a mattress and a CCTV camera.
According to Njoroge, she slept that night thinking it would be her last day. The following day, her abductors opened the room and began questioning her but also threatened to kill her lest she disclosed the truth behind the consignment.
“I told them the truth that I was the owner of the consignment. The officers departed from the room and came back hours later, informing me that they would release me since I had done no wrong. I was blindfolded and thrown out into a forest,” she stated but did not reveal the exact location.
Her lawyer Cliff Ombeta accused the government of orchestrating Njoroge’s abduction and suspected that unscrupulous power brokers wanted a stake in the Ksh17 billion oil consignment.
"She was also threatened to return the other four consignments she was to bring. The court had ordered the ship to be detained, but it was discharged. The ship’s captain also confirmed that he was threatened over the matter, with the people accusing him of colluding with Ann.
“What kind of law is this? If the government itself is corrupt, then how can we operate? She has retrieved oil consignments on many occasions, so why is it a problem now?” Ombeta wondered.
Njoroge was captured alongside her lawyer, Cliff Ombeta, who confirmed her whereabouts.
The duo was captured walking into the Mombasa Law Courts minutes past noon.
Details of where she was for the past six days are yet to be known.
The oil tycoon who is embroiled in a Ksh17 billion oil importation saga was reported missing last week after visiting the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters on Kiambu Road.
According to reports, Njoroge had been directed to record a statement with authorities by Energy Davis Chirchir after claiming ownership of diesel worth Ksh17 billion imported into the country.
Ombeta had claimed that she was then taken to an unknown location by the police.
DCI is yet to respond to the allegations.
However, according to Chirchir, the consignment was imported by another company. The Cabinet Secretary stated that the government would work with various agencies to establish the owner of the consignment.
“The consignment was brought in by a company called Galana and it has been discharged. So, we want to know the truth but the case is in court at the moment,” the CS stated during a tree-planting exercise in Baringo County on Monday.
On the other hand, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) flagged documents indicating the businesswoman as the owner of the consignment as fake.
The oil had been imported from Saudi Arabia on 26th September and landed in Mombasa on September 30, 2023.
‘‘The consignees and their respective portions of the bulk cargo are listed in the Manifest submitted by the Ship’s Agent and KPA confirms that the businesswoman’s Import and Export Enterprises Limited is not one of the manifested consignees,’’ KPA stated.
Francis Kagema
I don’t think anyone would be crazy enough to claim a 17B consignment which is not hers. Chirchir and that galana oil have evil intentions. Robbery is happening as we watch. This is a gangster republic
Kogo Franklin
She planted hers mapema …but I guess the lady is under immense pressure