EACC probes Sh257m City Hall tender on Covid-19

The commission is undertaking investigations into allegations of irregular award of tenders. [Courtesy]

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is investigating alleged irregular award of Sh257 million tender by City Hall to companies for supply of Covid-19 relief food and non-food items.

The anti-graft agency has summoned Nairobi County Chief Officer in charge of Finance Halqano Diida Waqo for interrogation in connection with the tender for supplies meant to be delivered to more than 127,500 households.

“The commission is undertaking investigations into allegation of irregular award of tenders by Nairobi County government for the supply and delivery of food and non-food items for disaster emergencies to mitigate effects of Covid-19 pandemic to 127,500 households in informal settlements within Nairobi County,” reads a letter by EACC.

“To facilitate our investigation, kindly inform Mr Halkanao Diida Waqo chief officer finance to avail himself at Integrity Centre on June 30 for interview and statement recording on the matter. Our officers David Changkwony and Jeremiah Buchianga will be available for the exercise,” added the letter by EACC Deputy Director of Forensic Investigation John Lolkoloi.

The June 28 letter was addressed to the county secretary’s office.

This comes after a petition by Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok on April 24 to the EACC to investigate the alleged irregular tender.

Mr Imwatok, in his petition, claimed the contracted firms are proxy companies of MCAs, county staff or directly owned by the ward representatives.

He claimed despite payments made to the contracted firms, “interestingly no food was ever supplied to the county and no food was distributed,” a statement that has put him at loggerheads with fellow MCAs.

Payment vouchers indicate the firms supplied rice, sugar, maize, wheat flour, bread, mineral water, sanitary towels, blankets, mattresses and basins.

Imwatok's petition was also copied to Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji, Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti and deputy Governor Ann Kananu.

“It is absurd that taxpayers’ money amounting to over Sh257 million shall be paid to companies belonging to MCAs or their proxies for no services or goods,” stated the petition.