Row erupts over awarding of tenders for water projects

By RENSON MNYAMWEZI

A row has erupted between County Executive in-charge of Water and Irrigation and the Tendering committee over awarding of tenders in Taita-Taveta County.

The clash came after water CEC, Joseph Mbogho, ordered re-evaluation of seven tenders amounting to over Sh20 million, saying they were awarded irregularly.

Mbogho said the process to award the tenders did not meet procedure as stipulated by the County Tendering Committee (CTC).

“I have saved more than Sh20 million of public funds from being misused. The CTC awarded tenders without following laid down tendering procedures,” he claimed.

“As the person in-charge of Water and Irrigation, I am not happy with the way the tenders were awarded. I was also not happy with the outcome of the evaluation process because there are some question marks,” Engineer Mbogho said.

Speaking to The Standard at his Wundanyi office yesterday, Mbogho said in some instances the lowest bidders were left out of the tendering process, an issue he termed as wrong.

He said the county administration has allocated more than Sh100 million for implementation of water projects in the region.

So far, nine tenders have been awarded to contractors to implement water projects in the county while seven others are to be re-evaluated before being awarded or cancelled.

However on his part, CTC chairperson John Lugedi told off the CEC member telling him to stop interfering with the committee’s mandate.

“We have followed all laid down procedures in the tendering process and the CEC member should stop interfering with our work. If he has evidence of corruption, let him table it and stop tarnishing our name for no apparent reasons,” he said.

Above board

Logedi, who is also the County Director of Health Services, defended his committee saying it has been operating in a transparent and accountable manner.

County Secretary Patrick Meso said he will soon constitute a new tendering committee.

“I am not aware of the wrangles involving the two parties. Let me investigate the matter first before I comment,” he told The standard yesterday.

Meanwhile, contractors in Taita-Taveta County have protested over unfair awarding of tenders in the region, saying that road tenders, especially, are being awarded to outsiders at the expense of locals.

Speaking during a forum between the County Government and suppliers, the contractors challenged County Governor John Mruttu to ensure that local contractors benefit  from tenders.

“The County administration should ensure that funds allocated to this region benefit locals in terms of employment and poverty alleviation,” said former nominated councillor Henry Mwangemi Kiwoi.