The whistleblower blog cnyakundi.com has detailed serious allegations against Yogesh Pattni, CEO of Victoria Commercial Bank, including money laundering, fraud, and threats to the bank's stability. The site claims Pattni has undermined the institution's legacy, which was founded in 1987 by Kanji D. Pattni, a co-founder and former chairman.
According to the blog, Pattni, who took over as CEO in mid-2018, is linked to a parallel entity called Chopri, allegedly involved in illicit financial activities. The site alleges that Pattni and his wife mobilized funds through cash transactions, investing in properties across Dubai and Africa. Central Bank of Kenya investigations into unrepaid deposits at Chopri are mentioned, though no official confirmation is provided.
In 2018, India revoked Pattni's passport and those of his children amid suspicions of money laundering and fraud. The whistleblower claims this action was taken due to his alleged threats to national security. Pattni is also accused of acquiring a second citizenship without declaring it, violating Kenyan law.
The blog highlights Pattni's personal history, including his divorce from Shilpa Pattni, who adopted two children—Suraj and Sonia Pattni—who lost their Indian passports following the allegations. His current spouse, Azmina Pattni, previously an administrative assistant, is said to have had an affair with Pattni, leading to his divorce.
Social media campaigns, including the hashtag #YogeshPattniUnmasked, pressured Victoria Commercial Bank to address the allegations. Critics accused the bank's Asian management of racial insensitivity, while others called for Pattni's citizenship revocation. The blog cited U.S. Proclamation 7750, which restricts entry for individuals linked to global corruption, as a precedent for India's actions.
Pattni denied the allegations in a September 2019 statement, calling the whistleblower's reports defamatory. The blog defended its work, citing past successes in exposing corruption at institutions like the East African Development Bank and Safaricom. It also noted the sacking of executives at HF Group following its investigations.
The whistleblower criticized Kenya's anti-corruption agencies, questioning their effectiveness as high-profile figures allegedly linked to corruption continued to operate freely. The blog emphasized its commitment to transparency, stating,
