This archive report was first published on 9 October 2019.
On October 9, 2019, the National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi directed the Finance and National Planning Committee to investigate the procurement of 1,290 police vehicles, valued at Sh12.5 billion, which has been shrouded in secrecy and irregularities.
Endebess MP Robert Pukose requested the investigation, citing unwarranted haste in awarding the tender, which may have favoured a specific bid that was pre-identified.
Dr Pukose wants the committee, chaired by Kipkelion East MP Joseph Limo, to establish whether new bidders were called by phone to submit bids, leading to an irregular award that took place on October 2, 2019.
“The cancellation and repetition of the procurement process has caused massive inconvenience, leading to unwarranted wastage of manpower and resources that may eventually run into billions of taxpayers’ money,” Dr Pukose said.
Since 2013, the government has been leasing vehicles for the police, a move it says has saved taxpayers’ money compared with buying new vehicles.
The current tender was to lapse in April 2019, but it was extended to October 15, leaving just a few days to resolve the issue.
