Kericho officials arrested over road tender, face graft charges
By Zadock Angira, June 11, 2020
A former chief officer in charge of Public Works, Road and Transport in Kericho County who allegedly colluded with colleagues to award her company a tender to construct a road was yesterday arrested with six others over procurement irregularities.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission CEO Twali Mbarak said the suspects were arrested following an investigation of conflict of interest and procurement irregularities in respect of a contract awarded for the construction of a road in Belgut sub-county.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji ordered the arrests.
The probe established that the officials irregularly awarded contract for the construction of Bae-Kapsimotwet-Kibaraa road to Jawlink Logistics Limited at a tender sum of Sh5.6 million.
“The firm was neither pre-qualified by the County Government nor registered with the National Construction Authority,” Mbarak said.
The suspects are Peter Kipyegon Kosgey (Chief Officer in-charge of Public Works, Roads and Transport), Joash Chirchir (Civil Engineer), Charles Mabwai (Procurement Officer), Aaron Waiharo Njoroge (Accountant), Stanley Ruto Cheruyot (Roads Inspector), Lilian Chepkoech Kirui (Roads Inspector and director of Jawlink Logistics Limited), and John Kimutai Rotich (director, Jawlink Logistics Limited).
They will be arrainged at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kericho today.
The EACC has also directed on an official of Jawlink Logistics Ltd, Japheth Kipngeno, to present himself at the nearest EACC offices.