EACC investigating Sh1.4b tender for choppers at the Office of the President

The National Police Service had on March 20 invited sealed tenders from manufacturers or their certified and approved overhaul facilities for Mi-17 helicopters. (PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD)

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is investigating a complaint against the Office of the President over alleged procurement irregularities in the Sh1.4 billion overhaul of three MI-17 police helicopters that have had poor safety records.

It is among security-related contracts worth billions of shillings that also include the purchase of armoured personnel carriers, pistols, guns and body armour that are shrouded in secrecy because of their sensitive nature. But the international tender for police choppers, which was advertised by the Office of the Inspector General on March 20, 2015, has sparked controversy because it was cancelled three days prior to the closing date.