Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson candidate Anne Amadi has distanced herself from allegations linking her to a gold fraud scandal.
The case, brought forward by Bruton Gold Trading LLC, claimed that Amadi’s former law firm, Amadi and Associates Advocates, illegally received over Ksh. 89 million for undelivered gold.
However, Amadi maintains that she had no involvement in the alleged dealings.
Speaking during her vetting by the IEBC selection panel on Monday, the former Chief Registrar of the Judiciary reiterated that she resigned from the firm in 2014, long before the alleged scandal took place.
“I was very busy in the Judiciary; there was no time to go and get into any kind of practice,” she told the panel.
She emphasized that Kenyan courts had already ruled in her favor, confirming that she had no involvement in the fraudulent transaction.
“It was a malicious attack, which is something that, when you are in public service, you must be ready for. Public service at any level is not for the faint-hearted. It was an attempt to shake me and slander my reputation because I have upheld my integrity,” Amadi stated.
In May 2023, the High Court froze Amadi’s bank accounts as investigations into the gold scam unfolded. The freeze was extended to her son, Brian Amadi, who currently runs the law firm.
However, on July 9, 2023, Justice Alfred Mabeya ruled that there was no evidence linking her to the scandal and lifted the freeze on her accounts.
The court determined that Amadi had not benefited from the alleged Sh102 million fraud and was not involved in the firm’s daily operations, including the receipt or disbursement of funds.
With 34 years of experience as an advocate—20 of them in public service—Amadi reaffirmed her readiness to lead the IEBC.
She acknowledged the immense pressure that comes with managing elections in Kenya but assured the panel that she is well-prepared for the challenge.
