Procurement board directs IEBC to extend opening of poll tender

The electoral commission has been directed to extend the date of  opening the Kenya Integrated Elections Management (KIEMS) tender by two weeks.

The Public Procurement and Disposal Administrative Review Board (PPDARB) said the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) flouted procurement laws.

Consequently, the board, which included Paul Gicheru (chairman) and members Peter Ondieki, Nelson Orgut, Rosemary Gituma and Hussein Were, ruled that IEBC extend the period to allow full participation by all bidders.

The board has been hearing a complaint by some local and international bidders who wanted the KIEMS tender nullified and re-advertised, citing irregularities.

KIEMS includes biometric voter registration, voter identification, electronic results transmission and candidate registration systems.

"The procuring entity is at liberty to proceed with the procurement process herein but in doing so, the procuring entity shall comply with the Constitution, the provisions of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act 2015 and all such laws as are relevant to the subject procurement," part of the reading said.

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The board noted that the poll agency, owing to the fact that it issued an order dated December 29, 2016 staying the procurement process thereby effectively stopping potential bidders from submitting and participating in the procurement process, must extend time.

"The board hereby directs that the procuring entity shall extend the time for the submission and opening of the tenders, the subject matter of this dispute, by a further period of not less than 14 days from January 18, this year. This is to ensure full participation by all potential bidders as are desirous of participating in this tender process," the board ruled.

IEBC has also been ordered to immediately place an advertisement in the print, electronic or other media informing the public of the orders and the directions of the board.

Kenya-based Dittel Ltd, African Infrastructure Development Company, and South African firm BigRadap (BG) noted the tender was flawed.