This archive report was first published on 11 July 2021.
July 11, 2021 - The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) is reeling from another corruption scandal, with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) uncovering irregularities in a Sh62.7 million tender awarded to a company linked to a senior KPA clerical officer.
According to EACC, the tender was awarded to Chemiso East Africa, a company owned by the mother of the senior clerical officer, despite the company's bid being significantly higher than the original tender value of Sh40 million.
The EACC investigation found that the procurement process was irregular, resulting in unlawful payments of Sh62,732,772.74 to the proprietors of Chemiso East Africa.
Additionally, the evaluation committee failed to conduct proper technical evaluation, and there was a clear conflict of interest in the awarding of the tender.
The EACC has recommended high-profile prosecutions, including the senior clerical officer, the head of procurement and supplies, the head of civil engineering, all members of the tender evaluation committee, and the proprietor and signatory of Chemiso East Africa.
The anti-graft agency wants the officials charged with various offenses, including conflict of interest, fraudulent acquisition of public property, willful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement, money laundering, and obtaining a contract from a public institution by false pretence.
