This archive report was first published on 4 July 2020.
Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu's (pictured) administration is facing scrutiny over alleged procurement irregularities. On July 4, 2020, a Senate oversight committee demanded that she be probed over the alleged violations.
The Senate County Public Accounts and Investment Committee (CPAIC) chaired by Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri has invited the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the alleged irregularities in the award of several tenders worth millions of shillings.
According to the 2017-18 audit report, there was a systematic violation of procurement laws and processes in the award of several tenders, including the procurement of pesticides worth Sh8.3 million, installation of a Sh3 million outdoor billboard, and procurement of booklets worth Sh37.4 million.
Former Auditor General Edward Ouko pointed out in his report that county officers either violated laws and processes in the award of the contracts or failed to provide supporting evidence, including procurement documents.
Ngilu's administration has been accused of violating procurement laws and processes in the award of more than Sh150 million contracts.
Ngilu's response to the allegations was that her administration adhered to legal notice No.114 of June 18, 2013, in splitting the procurement. She argued that the pesticides were sourced from each of the 40 wards of the county government to ensure maximum participation of citizen contractors, disadvantaged groups, and small and micro enterprises in public procurement.
