The Vihiga blood transfusion centre had a budget of Kshs 9 million but the tender went out for Ksh17 million

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has undertaken an inquiry into allegations of procurement irregularities and loss of public funds through payment for non-existing works in the construction of a blood transfusion centre by the County Government of Vihiga.

The Commission received information that the Vihiga County Government had advertised and irregularly awarded tender for construction of a blood transfusion centre [tender No. VCG/HLT/702190/2018/2019] in the Financial Year 2018/2019, resulting in loss of public funds.

Investigations established that the tender was for the sum of KSh17 Million while the appropriated amount in the approved budget was KSh9 million.

Vihiga County blood transfusion centre: five bidders did not meet evaluation criteria

Five bids were opened in the tender. Investigations established that, the Director Ediettrium Consultants Services Limited prepared two bid documents while the other three were prepared by the Principal Quantity Surveyor, Transport and Infrastructure Department of Vihiga County Government.

Further investigations established that none of the five bidders met the evaluation criteria as set out in the bid document.

A report was compiled and forwarded to the DPP on 3rd May, 2023 recommending that the suspects be charged with:

• Conspiracy to commit an offence of economic crime contrary to section 47A (3)
• Abuse of office contrary to section 46
• Two counts of wilful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement Contrary to section 45 (2) (b)
• Fraudulent acquisition of public property Contrary to section 45 (1) (a)
• All as read with section 48 of ACECA and Uttering a False Document Contrary to section 353 of the Penal Code.

The DPP’s response is awaited

[Source: The Kenya Gazette EACC/FI/INQ/40/2021]