Kidnapping and harrowing ordeal: Woman in Sh17bn fuel saga reveals disturbing details

Ann Njeri Njoroge the woman at the centre of Sh17bn fuel saga

By Abdimalik Hajir
Wednesday, November 15, 2023

In a bizarre turn of events, Ann Njeri Njoroge, the central figure in the disputed Sh17 billion diesel case, has reappeared, claiming to have been kidnapped and mistreated.

In a bizarre turn of events, Ann Njeri Njoroge, the central figure in the disputed Sh17 billion diesel case, has reappeared, claiming to have been kidnapped and mistreated. As new details emerge about her business dealings in Kenya, Uganda, Dubai, Russia, and Israel, questions abound regarding the identity and legitimacy of the self-proclaimed tycoon.

Kidnapping Allegations

Ms. Njeri's reappearance is accompanied by shocking claims of kidnapping. In a statement to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), she detailed being forcibly taken after recording a statement at the DCI headquarters. Allegedly coerced into a vehicle, blindfolded, and taken to an undisclosed location, Ms. Njeri recounts being chained, denied access to washroom and interrogated about the contested Sh17 billion oil.

Despite pleas for her life and assurances from the masked individuals, she faced threats of death unless she disowned the cargo, withdrew her court case, and left the country upon release. Ms. Njeri describes a harrowing four days in captivity, marked by uncertainty about time, limited access to basic facilities, and constant fear for her life.

Mysterious Business Ventures

Documents reveal that Ms. Njeri is the sole owner of Anns Import and Export Enterprises Ltd in Kenya, a company supposedly engaged in billion-shilling businesses globally, including the petroleum industry. However, the company's minimal digital presence raises eyebrows, with no website or social media presence to validate its purported massive operations. Questions linger about its clientele, especially concerning commodities like curios and handicrafts that typically require robust marketing.

Despite claims of a physical office in Karen shopping centre, our investigation found no trace of Anns Import and Export Enterprises within the specified area. The company's incorporation in 2009, as per Business Registration Service (BRS) documents, adds another layer of intrigue to its elusive nature.

International Connections

Ms. Njeri's global footprint extends to Uganda, where she has registered a similar-sounding Anns Import and Export Enterprises Ltd, though its activities remain undisclosed in open data sources. Furthermore, her alleged business ties with a Russian refinery, LLC Alpha-AAA YTBE (AEHO-MOSCO Russia), raise skepticism, as our team found no record of the refinery online.

The Russian deal, as described by Ms. Njeri, supposedly grants her access to any quantity of petroleum from the refinery on order, with confirmation claimed through an individual named Zohar Kushnir, an Israeli businessman associated with Tel-Aviv firm LBK Trading Ltd. Mr. Kushnir's LinkedIn profile indicates involvement in petroleum and cannabis trade.

The Unraveling Mystery

While Ms. Njeri insists that the oil is rightfully hers and imported from Europe, key details, including the oil's origin, remain elusive. Her lawyers, Cliff Ombeta and David Chumo, affirm that they will not withdraw the case and plan to submit additional documents.

As the story unfolds, the Sh17 billion diesel saga takes on increasingly puzzling dimensions, with questions surrounding the legitimacy of Ms. Njeri's businesses and the circumstances of her alleged kidnapping. The courtroom spectacle, where the case was not on the cause list, adds another layer of uncertainty to a narrative that continues to baffle authorities and the public alike.