EACC saves taxpayers from Ksh4.8B loss, goes after top state officials

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is on the trail of a host of senior government officials over a suspicious tender that would have cost the taxpayer Ksh4.8 billion.

The tender, which EACC says flouted procurement rules, involved the state department for correctional services and was disguised as classified assorted security items.

Also being investigated are two politicians said to have been part of the racket.

EACC CEO Twalib Mbaruk said Thursday the contract, awarded to shady companies and containing hugely inflated figures flouted procurement rules in an effort to defraud Kenyans.

The anti-graft body says with the help of undercover operatives, it got wind of the contract, which was already signed and awarded and which required 80% of the amount paid within 30 days of the signing but the fraudsters were bursted.

The deal includes 10 classified tenders involving assorted security items such as guns, bulletproof vests and various vaguely define items, and in one case involved the expected expenditure of over Ksh200 million on rifle slings which the officials believe is grossly over quoted.

EACC says it will forward its investigation file to DPP for those involved to be prosecuted.