This archive report was first published on 10 October 2019.
On October 7, 2019, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi addressed delegates at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, where he directed a departmental committee to investigate the Sh12.6 billion police vehicles leasing tender.
The committee, Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning, has 21 days to inquire and report to the House. This directive follows a request for a statement from Endebess MP Robert Pukose, who raised concerns about the tender's controversial nature.
According to Pukose, the tender was shrouded in secrecy, with decisions of the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board and a High Court ruling disregarded. The MP alleged that the process of picking the tender was characterised by 'blatant' disregard of procurement procedures, indicating the possibility of senior public officers pushing their personal interests.
He further stated that the manner in which the tender was hastily pushed, with Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho re-advertising it through a restricted process, indicated possible manipulation by State or public officers.
“The unwarranted haste seems to favour a specific bid which may have been pre-identified by the users in the view of the fact that new bidders were called by phones to submit bids, leading to irregular award that took place on October 2. This award is shrouded in secrecy and possible irregularities,” said Pukose.
