This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
On March 10, 2020, Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) Managing Director Bernard Njiraini appeared before the National Assembly Trade Committee at Continental House, Nairobi, amidst controversy surrounding his tenure.
Exactly 15 months after taking over as Kebs boss, Njiraini was arrested on July 2, 2020 by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), who have been investigating corruption and fraudulent activities at the organisation.
The EACC stated that Njiraini had been arrested over allegations of procurement irregularities and payment of bribes in respect of awards for tenders for provision pre-export conformity of goods, used motor vehicles, mobile equipment, and spare parts by Kebs.
According to the EACC, they had on numerous occasions requested for original documents from the MD who “failed and/or refused to comply thereby continuously frustrating the timely conclusion of investigations”.
“This is with a view of obtaining the said documents and preferring charges against him for his contravention,” the commission said.
Njiraini becomes the fourth Kebs chief executive since 2012 to face accusations of corruption, following in the footsteps of Eva Oduor, Charles Gichahi, and Charles Ongwae, who is currently facing charges of attempted murder and abuse of office.
