The Nairobi County government is under fire for irregularly awarding tenders to eight companies to supply street lighting materials worth Ksh.313 million during the Fiscal Year 2022/2023.
This was revealed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s (EACC) quarterly report, which covered reports forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) from April 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024.
According to the commission, the tender was advertised on the same day as the contracts were awarded to the eight companies, which violated the 14-day waiting period required by public procurement laws.
“It was also established that the LPOs were signed and issued out to the Suppliers without a preceding acceptance of the awards, in violation of the public procurement laws,” read part of the report.
Furthermore, the contracts were signed without the presence of an accounting officer, who is responsible for evaluating the quality of an LPO (Local Purchasing Order) agreement.
On June 3, 2024, the commission forwarded the file to the ODPP, who charged the relevant individuals involved in the procurement process with 14 offences.
This includes six counts of corrupt procurement practices, two counts of willful failure to comply with the law, and one count of issuing false documents.
Other charges include two counts of forgery, one count of financial misconduct, neglect of official duty, and conspiracy to commit a corruption offense.
EACC recommended that the signed contract be cancelled and disciplinary proceedings be initiated against those involved.
On July 26, 2024, the DPP returned the file and recommended that administrative action be taken against the suspects.
On July 26, 2024, the DPP returned the file and recommended that administrative action be taken against the suspects.
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