The high-stakes trial against Oki General Trading (Kenya) took a sensational turn this week when the prosecution’s star witness, Deepak Rajoriya, faltered under blistering cross-examination — exposing contradictions that now cast doubt on the entire case.
Rajoriya, a former staffer in the finance department of the company’s parent firm abroad, testified that he was dispatched to Kenya to probe suspected fraud. But court records revealed an eyebrow-raising timeline:
- He landed in Nairobi on 25th December 2024 — on a tourist visa.
- Within two weeks, by 16th January 2025, he was installed as a director of Oki General Trading.
- Almost immediately, he ordered a so-called “forensic audit” — a report that now forms the backbone of the prosecution’s KES 356 million misappropriation claim.
But under questioning, Rajoriya’s case crumbled.
Clean Audits vs. Sudden ‘Theft’
Defense lawyers highlighted that the company has undergone independent annual audits for years, all forming the basis of tax filings, with no red flags. Pressed on how KES 356 million could vanish undetected for so long, Rajoriya froze, unable to explain.
No Evidence, No Records
The witness admitted he did not conduct any internal investigation, review company records, or produce documentation to support his claims. The only evidence he relied on was the audit he personally commissioned just weeks into his Kenya appointment — raising questions about its independence and credibility.
The KRA Coincidence
Then came the bombshell: Oki General Trading is already facing a Kenya Revenue Authority penalty of Ksh356 million — the exact same amount allegedly “misappropriated.”
This revelation sparked speculation that the firm may be attempting to shift blame for unpaid taxes onto a former director, disguising a looming KRA liability as theft.
Public Doubts Soar
For many observers, the optics are damning:
- A tourist-turned-director in two weeks,
- A contested audit dropped almost immediately,
- Years of clean audits suddenly contradicted,
- And a tax penalty that perfectly mirrors the alleged fraud.
The question on everyone’s lips: Is this really about fraud — or a desperate bid by Oki General Trading and Deepak Rajoriya to escape a crushing tax bill?
Leave a Comment