EACC probes Gatundu South CDF on alleged procurement irregularities

Gatundu South National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) committee is in a spot over alleged irregularities in award of tenders.

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) says it has already launched investigations into the allegations.

In a letter dated March 4, 2019, and addressed to the CDF manager, EACC is asking for several documents it plans to use in the probe.

The letter, signed by a Humphrey Mahiva on behalf of EACC chief executive officer Twalib Mubarak, indicates that the investigations will touch on a number of companies said to have been awarded tenders irregularly.

The companies named include Numerical Strength Limited, Finish Line Construction Company Limited, Lujatech Enterprises Limited, Smith & Gold Production Limited and Mwaura Timber Limited.

Also on EACC's radar are Biyn Business Consultants Limited, Kiki Holdings Limited, Kelly (EA) Limited, Supreme General Traders and Emerging Capital Holding Limited.

The agency has demanded that the CDF manager provides original documents of approved budget allocations for the financial years spanning 2014 - 2018, annual procurement plans over the same period, lists of pre-qualified contractors and letters of requisition from beneficiaries of the tenders.

The anti-corruption agency has also asked for tender advertisements, signed tender opening registers, signed tender opening minutes, bid documents for bidders and signed tender evaluation minutes.

The investigators are also demanding to be furnished with signed tender committee award minutes, professional opinion reports, award notification letters to the successful bidders, payment vouchers, invoices and other attachments, certificate of work completions and any other relevant information.

A group of residents, through lawyer MA Ondieki, wrote to Mr Mbarak on February 5, demanding an update on the progress made on a petition they presented to the commission on March 9, 2017, demanding investigations into the NG-CDF committee.

The petition, which was received at the EACC headquarters on March 10 that same year, was drafted by former area MP Moses Muihia, a Mr Moses Njuguna Kabati, Isaac Kamau Karanja and Elijah Karanja Giacharu, on behalf of residents.

“The said petitioners have on several occasions visited your offices on a follow-up on the investigations based on their petition, but no communication over the progress, if any, has been forthcoming from your end,” read the letter.

The residents also demanded that the anti-corruption agency furnishes them with the outcome of the investigations.

In the petition, the residents also committed to having their statements taken if there was need.

“Our clients are willing to supply the commission with additional information, if need be, so it can quickly conclude investigations into the matter,” the letter reads.

In April 2017, Mr Muihia sustained injuries after he was attacked by unknown assailants as his group went to present the petition to the then area Deputy County Commissioner Stephen Kihara.