There are two or more sides to every story, and there are several at Imperial Bank. This is just one. The Central Bank (CBK) and the Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation  (KDIC) have accused the shareholders/non-executive directors of the bank of being negligent in allowing the fraud at the bank estimated at Kshs 34 billion (~$34 million), and collecting dividends from what was a shell institution. The shareholders have fired back in replying affidavits saying they were not party to the fraud and that, among other things:

• Documents they saw as directors (at board meetings). had been doctored by management of the bank (led by the late group managing director).
• CBK officials helped doctor the records for many years during their inspection audits.
• CBK officials received personal favours from Imperial Bank managers.
• CBK staff and Imperial managers conspired to prevent one shareholder from becoming an executive director of the bank, which would have created a second centre of power (other than the GMD) and which might have uncovered the fraud.
• The current CBK governor has made unreasonable demands on shareholders and failed to discipline his officers involved with Imperial – even appointing one of them as a receiver manager after Imperial closed.

Meanwhile, a judge issued a ruling that was interpreted differently and a group of depositors went back to court seeking a clarification of what the judge meant. It has been interpreted to mean:

• Shareholders: The receiver managers (CBK/KDIC) must share information with, and consult, them on decisions affecting the bank.
• Receiver Manager: Liquidation of the Bank can proceed liquidated.
• Depositors: Judge said to pay us 40% of our deposits immediately.

Hearings continue next week.