Kenya CCTV project expected after end of suits

By ISAIAH LUCHELI

KENYA,NAIROBI: The four-day siege of the upmarket Westgate Mall in Nairobi could have been easily thwarted by the use of Close-Circuit Television (CCTV) technology.

Security forces in the developed world have on many occasions used the high-tech technology to stop terror attacks before it happens or easily identify suspects.

In an attempt to address runaway crime and terrorism, the government initiated a Sh20 billion project to acquire police security surveillance equipment to secure Nairobi but the efforts have been frustrated by protracted court battles.

The awarding of the lucrative tender led to a court battle pitting Huawei Technologies against ZTE Corporation, but last week’s ruling by the High Court has paved way for the awarding of the tender.

The delivery and installation of the surveillance equipment would go a long way in helping security forces gather intelligence and images of suspected criminals, which would in turn make it easier to apprehend suspects and thwart intended attacks.

ZTE Corporation is the front-runner for the lucrative project after having had an upper hand against Huawei Technologies Ltd and AVIC international Holdings. ZTE is the world’s fourth largest telecommunication equipment and system company.

When the project was initiated in 2011, it was meant to cover major cities in the country such as Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa, but after a review it will be carried out all over the country.

Ministry tender

The tender, floated by the now defunct Ministry of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security, was technically evaluated and completed on August 28, last year when legal challenges forced the government to suspend the award.

Based on the huge advantages on advanced technology, ZTE became the only firm which was qualified following the technical evaluation and it was expected to roll out the project immediately but the court battle halted the project.

However, when the financial bid by ZTE was opened on December 10, last year, Huawei Technologies challenged the ministry’s decision before the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board but was dismissed on January 14, this year.

“The board, therefore, finds that on the face of it, ZTE Corporation met the mandatory system requirements,” the tribunal had ruled.

The tribunal allowed the government to continue with the procurement process for the surveillance equipment but Huawei moved to the High Court.

After being dealt a blow by the tribunal, Huawei Technologies petitioned the High Court to overturn the board’s decision but later the firm voluntarily withdrew the application on February 27, this year.

In his ruling following the withdrawal of the application by Huawei, Justice George Odunga threatened sanctions against any person who engaged in theatrics involving the tender.

However, that was not the end. Another suit was filed by activist Okiya Omtata and Wycliffe Gisebe Nyakina, who also lost the petition to halt the award of the tender.

Justice Ngugi Mumbi who handled the case dismissed the petition. Following the dismissal of the case, the stage is now set for the rolling out of the project expected to address the spiraling crime wave.