KPA MD Ruto On The Spot Over Sh3B Tender Irregularly Awarded To Chinese Firm

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) MD William Kipkemboi Ruto has found himself in the spotlight over a controversial Sh3 billion awarded to a Chinese firm.

The tender in question TENDER NO: KPA/156/2023-24/TE- DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, SUPP. TENG AND COMMISSIONING OF TE (20) FULLY BUILT RUBBER TYRED GANTRY CRIMES 23 y/(RTG) had been put under investigation by Ethics and Anti – Corruption Commission (EACC) according to a letter seen by Kenya Insights addressed to the MD dated 23rd April.

Despite the authority being aware of the situation, Mr. Ruto hurriedly awarded the tender on 26th, barely 72 hours later to M/s. Jiangsu Rainbow Industrial Equipment Co. Ltd disregarding the anti-corruption body’s warning.

The actions of the MD to hurry the award is what had rose curiosity with suspicions that it could’ve been marred with corruption.

In the letter seen by Kenya Insights, EACC informed the MD that it had received complaints about the particular and had receipts that it was marred with corruption and warned against breaking the law by awarding.

“The Commission is in receipt of a report on allegation of corruption and malpractices in the tender process of the aforesaid tender currently ongoing at the Kenya Ports Authority. This is therefore to urge for the strict adherence to the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015 as well as other related laws that govern procurement and management of public resources.” Part of the letter read.

Being an agent matter, the commission had requested the MD to supply it with vital tender documents to aid in the investigations. However, this was disregarded and Mr. Ruto went ahead and awarded the contract.

EACC is the body mandated to conduct investigations on complaints touching on corruption, economic crime and unethical conduct.

KPA has a concrete history of corruption and with no MD ever coming out of the waters unstained.

President William Ruto a nemesis of the MD campaigned on a no corruption pledge and has on several occasions reiterated his stand of no tolerance for corruption.

The dismissive step by the MD who also hails from the same Rift Valley region leaves a lot to desire with many who will now be keen to see which action the EACC will take given that it’s investigations has been ignored thereby undermining its authority.