Citibank seeks to stop probe over Sh261mn KTDA-linked loan

Citibank seeks to stop probe over Sh261mn KTDA-linked loan
CHINA DAILY

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 15 – Citibank Kenya has moved to the High Court seeking to stop investigators from summoning, questioning or prosecuting one of its employees over the approval of a $2.02 million (Sh261 million) loan to Kiru Tea Factory Company Limited.

Court documents filed under HCCHRPET/E373/2026 show the bank is seeking conservatory orders to block investigative agencies from summoning, arresting or charging the employee over allegations of negligently processing the credit application that resulted in the loan being disbursed.

The bank also wants the court to stop investigators from requiring the employee to record statements or attend interviews while the constitutional petition is pending.

“Pending the hearing and determination of this Petition, an Order do issue restraining the Respondents… from summoning, arresting, charging or in any way whatsoever requiring the Interested Party to record statements or render interviews,” the court filing states.

“The alleged offence relates to negligently accepting a credit application and disbursing a sum of USD 2,020,000.00 to Kiru Tea Factory Company Limited.”

The loan is part of ongoing investigations linked to former KTDA National Chairman Chege Kirundi, with investigators examining how the facility was approved and disbursed.

Citibank argues that the investigations violate constitutional rights, including the rights to fair administrative action, equality before the law, access to information and protection of property.

The lender is asking the court to declare that the investigations breached those rights and to permanently restrain investigators from pursuing the employee or any other member of staff over the loan transaction.

It is also seeking compensation for the alleged violation of constitutional rights and any other relief the court may consider appropriate.

The petition does not challenge the legality of the loan itself but questions the manner in which the investigations are being conducted.