Former Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Anne Atieno Amadi, addressed allegations linking her to the 2023 gold scandal while appearing before the IEBC Selection Panel for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson interview.
During her interview on Monday, March 24, Amadi firmly denied any involvement in the multi-million-shilling scam, where she, her son, and others were accused of obtaining Ksh100 million from a Dubai-based gold trading company, Bruton Gold Trading LLC, for undelivered gold.
Amadi Distances Herself from the Case
Amadi clarified that she had no association with the law firm’s activities at the time of the alleged fraud.
“There was no reason for me to be in that case and named as the first respondent because the firm that is involved—I resigned from it in 2014. I was very busy in the Judiciary, and there was no time for me to engage in any kind of practice,” she told the panel.
She emphasized that she had no expertise in gold trading and had never been involved in any such business.
Furthermore, she noted that both the High Court and Court of Appeal ruled in her favor, affirming that she had no connection to the fraud.
“For me, it was a malicious attack—something you must be ready for in public service. Public service at certain levels is not for the faint-hearted. It was an attempt to shake me because I have upheld my integrity,” she added.
Legal Battles & Court Rulings
In May 2023, Bruton Gold Trading LLC filed a lawsuit against Amadi and her law firm, Amadi and Associates Advocates, claiming that they had received over Ksh100 million for a 1,500kg gold consignment that was never delivered.
As a result, the High Court ordered the freezing of both Amadi’s personal bank accounts and those of her law firm to prevent further transactions.
However, in June 2023, the High Court lifted the freeze on Amadi’s personal accounts, citing insufficient evidence to prove her involvement in the firm’s daily activities or that she benefited from the disputed funds.
In February 2024, the Court of Appeal dismissed an attempt by Bruton Gold Trading LLC to reinstate the freezing orders, ruling that the funds had already been withdrawn immediately after deposit, leaving no assets to be preserved.
What’s Next for Amadi?
Despite the court rulings in her favor, the 2023 gold scandal remains a controversial topic as Amadi seeks the IEBC chairperson role. While she maintains her innocence, the case continues to raise ethical and integrity concerns as she pursues a leadership position in Kenya’s electoral body.
Stay tuned for further updates on Amadi’s IEBC bid and Kenya’s latest political developments.
