Citibank Kenya has moved to the High Court seeking orders to stop investigators from summoning, questioning, arresting or prosecuting one of its employees over the approval of a $2.02 million (Sh261 million) loan to Kiru Tea Factory Company Limited.
In a constitutional petition filed before the High Court, the bank is seeking conservatory orders to bar investigative agencies from taking action against the employee while the case is being heard and determined.
According to court documents filed under HCCHRPET/E373/2026, the investigations relate to allegations that the employee negligently processed a credit application, leading to the approval and disbursement of the loan.
The bank is also asking the court to prevent investigators from requiring the employee to record statements or attend interviews pending the determination of the petition.
“Pending the hearing and determination of this Petition, an order be issued restraining the respondents from summoning, arresting, charging or in any way requiring the interested party to record statements or attend interviews,” the court filing states.
The disputed loan forms part of ongoing investigations linked to former Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) National Chairman Chege Kirundi, with investigators examining the circumstances under which the credit facility was approved and disbursed.
Citibank argues that the investigations have violated several constitutional rights, including the right to fair administrative action, equality before the law, access to information and protection of property.
The lender wants the court to declare that the investigations were conducted in breach of those constitutional protections and to issue permanent orders stopping investigators from pursuing the employee or any other member of its staff in relation to the loan transaction.
The bank is also seeking compensation for the alleged violation of constitutional rights, as well as any other relief the court may consider appropriate.
However, the petition does not challenge the legality of the loan or the lending decision itself. Instead, it questions the manner in which the investigations are being carried out and seeks judicial intervention to protect the rights of its employee during the process.
The High Court is expected to give directions on the application before determining whether to grant the conservatory orders sought by the bank.
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