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A government watchdog has unearthed dubious manoeuvres used by corrupt procurement and accounting officers to irregularly award tenders.

Following numerous complaints about rampant corruption and bribery in the public procurement systems, the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has now warned accounting officers in State departments against unfair, non-competitive award of tenders.

To facilitate corrupt dealings, procuring entities are reportedly using complex and unstable E-Systems for bidding among other mandatory tendering requirements that give undue advantage to large firms.

Procuring entities have also been accused of demanding submission of inessential documents from bidders such as business permits, audited accounts and professional indemnity covers contrary to the law.

In a circular sent to Principal Secretaries, National Assembly, the Senate, County Assembly Clerks, Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Regional Coordinators, County Commissioners, heads of constitutional commissions, vice chancellors of public universities among other accounting officers, PPRA further raised concerns over arbitrary failure by procuring entities to reserve tenders for provision of professional services to special category groups such as the youth, women and people living with disability.

The circular sent by PPRA Director General Patrick Wanjuki and which is dated July 25, expresses concern over thriving corruption in the decision-making process in award of public tenders, confidentiality of vital procurement data and access to public tender opportunities.

Wanjuki demands that accounting officers must promote fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective procurement processes.

“Procuring entities must ensure that the tendering requirements including eligibility criteria and mandatory requirements for potential bidders promote fair and open competition among those who may wish to participate in the procurement proceedings.

It is an offence under the Act to breach the rules on specific procurement requirements or prepare skewed or tailored technical specifications, as provided under Section 60 of the Act,” said Wanjuki.

Public Procurement Regulatory Authority Director Patrick Wanjuki. PD/file