Suspect British firm ventures into Kenya oil, gas industry – Weekly Citizen

Monckton Anthony

Giles Fearn

The government’s Energy Regulation Commission has raised concern over the operations of a local firm, Mansa East African Limited that has reportedly entered into partnership with a British firm to invest in the gas industry.
Mansa Limited according to records available to us has offices at Sarit Centre, Westlands on the outskirts of Nairobi. The firm registration number is CPR/2015/17/179228. The minimal share capital is 100, 000. Shareholders as per records availed to us are Glitton Energy International Kenya Limited, David Kipkoech Muge, Maurice Andrew Towey (Ireland), Antony Frederick Monckton (UK), Rift Gas Ltd (Kenya), Abbot James Michael (UK), Petredec (Europe) Ltd and Njuki Mwaniki(Kenya).
The firm operations were launched in Mombasa recently. However, Weekly Citizen has information to the effect that the function was skipped by Governor Hassan Joho who was to be the chief guest upon discovery that it had not been cleared by the county government and had no permits.
To complicate matters is a case in court and a ruling stopping the operations of the company until the matter is determined. Further, residents neighbouring the site the firm is planning to set the factory have moved to court claiming, the were not involved in public participation and thus against the project. With all this in mind, ERC aware of the implications wrote to the firm stopping the official launch but surprisingly, it went on. Talk is rife, local directors of the firm want the fleece foreigners involved in billions of shillings.

David Muge(circled), accompanying DP Ruto to Uganda

Not to be left out is Nema report that has raised eyebrows on the proposed construction of small scale liquefied petroleum gas import and storage terminal plant of 1,000 metric tonnes capacity with an additional 10,000 metric tonnes floating storage. The controversial project is located on plot number XIVII/178 within Carmaco supply base, Mombasa county, a project that Nema is against.
Whereas locals are out to make a kill, their foreign investors aim is also suspicious. By late last week, we had information to the effect that the matter surrounding the investment had reached the parliamentary committee on energy and the firm directors are set to be summoned for questioning and shed some light on the same.
Our investigative team has uncovered what could be the missing link between corrupt money stashed abroad and liquidity in Kenya.
Money laundering is done in the three stages; placement, layering and integration. Through these steps, money from corrupt proceeds is made to appear legitimate and introduced into the mainstream financial system.
Kickbacks given by contractors and corrupt agents have stalled mega government projects. Most of this money is paid abroad and has to find its way into the local economy.
For effective money laundering, a quid-pro-quo scheme must be set up to mimic legitimate large scale transactions but to be used just as a way of channeling corruption cash from European capitals.
From our investigations, the main masterminds in this scheme are among others, Giles Fearn (CEO, Petredec). The executors of the scheme are Muge, an ally of William Ruto and Abbott (CFO, Petredec). From our investigations, the special purpose vehicle is Mansa East Africa Ltd to make their dream officer.
Muge is a longtime resident of London from where he has known Fearn. He has worked as a vet doctor through the UK Company. Sources say that from the private office based in Upperhilll, Nairobi run by Muge, there is always a long queue of ministers, principal secretaries, parastatal heads from Ruto’s wing of government all lining up to draw up deals for kickbacks by contractors and rent seeking via Clifton Energy International.
Insiders confirm that all major corrupt kickbacks are signed by Clifton as the payee. Clifton Energy International is linked to:
a) Kenya Pipeline Corporation Zakhem deal for USD 700 million. Leaked report stated Clifton was payee.
b) School children’s laptop deal JV by Moi University and Clifton Energy International for USD 800 Million.
c) Arror, Kimwarer and Itare Dams Scandals by CMC Di Ravenna for USD 560 million.
d) Mwache dam Project by Sinohydro for USD 200 Million.
e) Security Sector scandals by Thales Group etc.
f) Kenya Power Equipment scandals and KETRACO construction and finance scandals
g) Eurobond Transaction advisory kickback scandal.
Inside sources say that all mega deals introduced to raise 2022 campaign funds are forwarded to Muge for execution due to his money laundering expertise. Petredec and Clifton have setup Mansa East Africa Ltd to undertake a gas project in Mombasa. This partnership has come at the time when kickbacks including from bankrupted CMC Di Ravenna of Italy for Itare, Kimwarer and Arrror Dams need to be transferred to Kenya. Media reports indicate thatd Muge accompanied William Ruto to Italy in December where this arrangement was secured. One way of laundering money would be through fake share purchase/transfer and trade finance schemes via Barclays Bank and other international banks. By pretending to be doing a mega project, these layering of shares and trade finance transactions enables any suspect money to escape the international money laundering radar. Such Mansa Ltd transactions leaves many unanswered questions:
a) Why purportedly pay in Europe to buy shares and get trade finance for a company incorporated in Kenya? Why can’t the transactions happen in Kenya?
b) Why would Petredec accept to receive corruption money in exchange for ‘partnership’ and promised control of Kenya’s oil and gas sector?
c) What value does Petredec get from zero expertise in oil and gas other than to engage in a political/economic power play?
d) Why has the UK Government through MI6 remained silent while Britons perpetrate this quid pro quo scheme? Is this a grand neo-colonialist scheme to take over Kenya’s oil and gas resources?
Our investigation uncovers that this international syndicate facilitates bringing money into Kenya in batches and may be used for the foreseeable future to transfer money in the UK and rest of Europe. It is also happening when Kenya is preparing for oil exports that will go into full production by 2022 after which Petredec may exercise great control over Kenya’s oil and gas sector. This is a perfect quid pro quo scheme that is well financed and that may deal a blow to President Uhuru Kenyatta Anti-corruption machinery.

Mansa East Africa Ltd Official Records at Company Registry.