Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission have raided the homes and office of Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala. The dawn raids were conducted last Monday in the minister’s Nairobi office and his homes in Nairobi, Vipingo in Kilifi, and Mombasa where crucial documents were recovered.Mr Balala is being investigated for allegedly awarding a Sh100 million contract, through single sourcing, to a local company to offer unspecified services during expos held in Nairobi two years ago.
The CS is said to have personally signed the award letter in spite of not being the accounting officer of the ministry, therefore attracting the attention of the anti-graft body.
The CS is said to have contracted the company during the 2016/2017 financial year to offer various services during the circuit of exhibitions held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi.
According to those involved in the investigations, the firm was not among those pre-qualified during the contract period and neither did the department have a budget for the year. The EACC wants to establish how the firm was awarded the tender allegedly without following public procurement laws and with the exclusion of the principal secretary, who is the accounting officer.
Balala has also been asked to provide tender documents, invoices, payment vouchers and other supporting documents on the contract. The commission also wants the ministry to provide proof that the company paid KICC for the expos it allegedly hosted at the venue.