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Seniors officials at the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) are set to be arrested as detectives conclude investigations into the Sh40 billion Kipevu Oil Terminal tender saga at the Mombasa port.

Detectives have closed in on managers and officials in the agency’s tender committee, who are believed to have inflated the cost of constructing the terminal by Sh28 billion.

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) spokesman Yassin Amaro confirmed that investigations are at an advanced stage but declined to divulge further information.

“This is the not the appropriate time for me to comment on the issue. But the right time is almost reaching, so wait,” Amaro told People Daily before hanging up his phone.

Already, EACC detectives have grilled KPA managing director Daniel Manduku, several heads of procurement and officials in the tender committee.

Trigger differences

 “We have recorded statements from the MD and other senior officials. We believe we have a compact case and we will soon forward the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for action,” said a source from EACC, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“Our investigations have since revealed the cost was inflated threefold and designed with an intention to pilfer the taxpayers’ money, ” added the source.

On Tuesday, Manduku failed to honour EACC summons to record a fresh statement, saying he was tied up at the KPA headquarters supervising opening of tenders.

It is alleged that some of the aforementioned KPA officials awarded the tender with the approval of the Cabinet.

Consequently, top Transport ministry officials are also expected to be grilled over the scandal.  

EACC director in charge of lower Coast region Japheth Baithalu had earlier told People Daily they were investigating abnormal variation of the cost of the project.

“According to the reports in our possession, the contract was supposed to be Sh12 billion, but how the variations came and the figure rose to Sh40 billion is a surprise. We are now investigating what triggered the differences,” he said.

Defeat justice

EACC has expressed concern over attempts to scuttle the investigations. 

A senior official told People Daily their investigations were being impeded by cartels that were using money and power to frustrate the probe.

“It is very hard to probe people who are still in office, some powerful forces whom we suspect have benefited from the corruption scandals are running up and down, putting stumbling blocks and interfering with possible evidence, including the computer systems to defeat justice,” said the officer.

At the centre of the investigations is the award of a construction tender to China Communication Construction Company (CCCC), which is said to have been inflated from an initial Sh12 billion to Sh40 billion.

Manduku’s predecessor Catherine Wairi has also recorded a statement, together with well as Procurement and Supplies  boss Anthony Nyamancha, former Procurement and Supplies head Yobesh Oyaro, and tender committee chair Rashid Salim.

Detectives have also grilled Geofrey Kavate, William Ruto, Adza Dzengo, Edward Kamau, Dan Amadi, Margaret Shayo, Beatrice Ratemo, Geoffrey Namadoa, Miguel Pires, William Tenay and Raymond Warr.

President Uhuru Kenyatta last month warned of imminent arrests and prosecution over the Sh40 billion Kipevu oil Terminal scandal.

Speaking when he flagged off Kenya’s first oil shipment, he revealed authorities were monitoring activities at the Mombasa port.

“The culture of calling for help is no more, it will be upon you to defend yourself,” the President said.

As investigations continue, Manduku has defended KPA against any wrongdoing in awarding the Sh40 billion to the Chinese firm. Early in April, he told EACC detectives that the tender was above board asserting the law was followed.