This archive report was first published on 30 June 2021.
On June 30, 2021, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) initiated an investigation into the Nairobi County Government's payment of Sh275 million for the supply of goods that were never delivered.
The payment was made for the supply of food and non-food items to 127,500 households in Nairobi's informal settlements as part of measures to cushion them from the economic challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Commission questioned the County Finance Chief Officer, Halakano Waqo, as part of the investigation.
According to the Commission's Deputy Director of Forensic Investigation, John Lolkoloi, the investigation is focused on allegations of irregular tender awarding by the Nairobi City County Government for the supply and delivery of food and non-food items to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The investigation was prompted by a letter from Makongeni MCA, Peter Imwatok, to the anti-graft Commission, claiming that the payment was illegal.
Imwatok alleged that some of the companies involved in the deal are owned by members of the county assembly and staff.
Payment vouchers indicated that the companies supplied goods including rice, flour, maize, sugar, water, bread, blankets, and mattresses.
The companies involved in the deal include Tsuma Trading Company Limited (Sh82.6 million), Flexilease Limited (Sh89 million), Msafiri Feeds Limited (Sh39 million), Throughout General Supplies Limited (Sh17.7 million), Asmara Ventures Limited (Sh27 million), Capital Waste Management Limited (Sh10 million), and Daasanach Construction Limited (Sh9 million).
