A director of Oki Trading Kenya Limited (OTKL) struggled to explain how the company allegedly lost KSh356 million at the hands of a former employee.

Testifying in court, Deepak Rajoria said the money was siphoned from the firm between 2021 and 2024 by a former director. However, during cross-examination, defence lawyer Nector Maloba pressed him to clarify how, within his role, he could confirm the alleged theft.

Rajoria told the court that he only came to Kenya for the first time in November 2024 and was appointed OTKL’s director in January 2025. Before then, he had worked for the company’s Dubai-based parent firm.

“I was appointed director in January this year when I came to Kenya,” he testified, adding that it was only after assuming the role that he discovered missing funds and documents.

The defence further accused him of failing to explain how the company managed to maintain tax compliance if, as he claimed, fake invoices had been used to understate client payments.

Maloba questioned Rajoria on whether he was a director when the alleged offence occurred. “No,” Rajoria admitted, acknowledging that he was not in the country at the time and was relying solely on an audit report he presented in court.

The case revolves around allegations that between January 1, 2020, and June 30, 2024, in Babadogo, Nairobi, the company lost millions through fraudulent invoicing and misappropriation of funds.