Sh64bn edible palm oil probe stalls as witnesses stay away
A parliamentary investigation into the alleged loss of Sh64 billion through misdeclared palm oil imports has stalled due to the non-cooperation of key officials. The committee has struggled to secure testimony from former KRA boss Humphrey Wattanga and Treasury CS John Mbadi.
Why it matters
The investigation highlights significant governance and revenue collection challenges within Kenya's tax authority and treasury departments.
Parliamentary investigations into the possible loss of Sh64 billion through misdeclared imports of edible palm oil has stalled after the National Assembly Committee on Finance and National Planning failed to get testimonies from key officials and entities.
Key challenges include the failed testimony of former Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) boss Humphrey Wattanga, alleged inaction by Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi and the committee's inactivity in finalising the report.
The committee launched the investigations two years ago on its own motion after intelligence that the government was losing revenue through the malpractice.
The documents reveal that misdeclaration of the palm oil is done in two ways to evade paying the required import duty at the Port of Mombasa.
This includes blending 60 percent crude palm oil with 40 percent refined palm olein and declaring the entire shipment as crude palm oil “allowing them to avoid paying import duties altogether.”
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