Before the dust settles on the alleged loss of Sh21 billion allocated to Arror and Kimwarer dam projects in Elgeyo-Marakwet, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is now probing Kenya Prisons over an award of Sh4.8 billion tender.
According to Documents seen by Daily Nation, the anti-graft watchdog swung into action to stop the payment of payment of Sh3.6 billion (80 per cent) which was about to be paid for the supply of security items the prisons under unclear circumstances.
Confirming the probe, EACC Chief Executive Officer Twalib Mbarak on Thursday said that the commission was aware of a scheme to siphon Sh. 4.8 billion through the tender award.
“We are investigating the matter and we are on the final stages,” Mr Mbarak said.
Documents show that there was no tender performance undertaken before the payment were to be made thereby putting public funds at risk of loss. Two principal secretaries (PS) are now being investigated over the awarding of the tender after President Uhuru Kenyatta called upon all arms of the government to stand up against the vice.
The PS’s on the radar are former Sports Principal Secretary Richard Ekai and Post-Training and Skills Development Principal Secretary Alfred Cheruiyot and former Sports Principal Secretary Richard Ekai.
The two, who have already been questioned by the commission, are being accused of violating the Public Procurement and Disposal Act.
It emerged that some local companies were awarded the tender despite lacking valid Tax compliance Certificates while others went ahead to forge local Purchase Orders to get the tender.