It has been established that the Kenya Ports Authority spent Sh137 million on bottled office water without following procurement procedures.
This has attracted the attention of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officers who want directors of six firms involved in the scam charged in court.
Some of the offenses EACC has recommended include six counts of deceiving principal contrary to section 41(2), 12 counts of abuse of office and 10 counts of willful failure to comply with the applicable law, regulations and guidelines relating to procurement.
The directors and officials also face four counts of fraudulent acquisition of public property and one count of willful failure to perform an official duty.
The report is dated November 23 2021 and signed by Archbishop Eliud Wabukala and Chief Executive Officer Twalib Mbarak.
The graft syndicate also saw M/S Alootek System Limited inflate the cost of two Copco compressors which was procured on behalf of KPA, thus losing Ksh.8.4 million.
The actual purchasing price of the product had been quoted at Ksh.8 million.
“On 7th September 2021, a report was compiled and forwarded to the DPP with recommendations to charge officials of KPA, Mombasa fresh water supply Company, Pincho Traders, Smech Enterprises, Nyavu Traders, Aquisana Limited and all their Directors,” reads the EACC 3rd Quarterly Report Covering the Period from July 1, 2021, to September 30, this year.
Upon completion of investigation into procurement scandal by KPA, it was established that the parastatal did not follow procurement protocols to allow different competent firms bid for the botched tenders.
Before the procurement process commenced, Alootek Systems Ltd wrote to KPA requesting to be considered for the supply of compressors, generators, demolition equipment, light towers and compaction equipment.
According to EACC, officials of Alootek Systems Ltd presented to KPA that they were the sole distributors of Atlas Copco equipment in Kenya, so as to influence the tender award to their company.
Investigations revealed that officials of KPA agreed to the request and recommended that Alootek be contracted for the supply of Atlas Copco Compressors.
EACC is required under section 36 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act,2003 (ACECA) to prepare quarterly reports setting out the number of reports made to the DPP.
Additional report by Nation
