This archive report was first published on 28 October 2019.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i's ministry is embroiled in a tender dispute with CMC Motors, a local motor firm.
The High Court has issued a stay order until January 20, 2020, when a ruling will be made on the contentious Sh12.6 billion tender for police vehicles.
Justice John Mativo made the ruling after CMC Motors appealed a decision by the Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB) tribunal on September 18, which had ruled that the Interior ministry was justified to cancel the tender due to a price difference.
However, CMC Motors claimed that the Interior ministry flouted procurement rules by awarding the tender to another company on September 20, two days after the ruling of PPARB.
Under the Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Act 2015, no contract can proceed when an appeal on the same is pending, Justice Mativo noted.
CMC Motors wants the review board to declare the tender for the leasing of motor vehicles from local assemblies illegal, null and void.
The National Police Service (NPS) had leased 530 Ford Ranger single cabin and double cabin pick-ups for use by the police and county government administrators under the Phase I and II programmes, which kicked off in 2013.
The Interior ministry is now caught up in a vicious fight after it terminated the CMC tender, weeks to the lapse of Phase II.
