EACC closes case on KAA apron bus procurement

The Director of Public Prosecution has closed its case against former Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) managers over the procurement of five airport passenger buses.

This comes after the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission wrote to the DPP seeking to close the inquiry file.

According to the EACC, a probe over the procurement process found nothing wrong with the acquisition of the buses.

“Investigations established that Kenya Airport Authority had the need to procure apron buses service and conducted the subject procurement process within the applicable law, the repealed Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2005 and there was no evidence of excessive monthly service charge as alleged,” EACC said in a gazette notice.

President Uhuru Kenyatta lifted the lid over the issue in May 2015, after he questioned how KAA could make Sh11 million monthly payments to Relief And Mission Logistics Limited for the bus service, terming it a waste of money.

The head of state demanded an immediate probe into how the contract was awarded.

“I find it impossible to believe that you can claim to have buses here and pay Sh10 million or Sh11 million per month for five buses. Why not come to me and I will give you National Youth Service buses at Sh100,000?” President Kenyatta said last May.

KAA terminated the contract soon after queries were raised, with Relief and Mission slapping the airports manager with a Sh34.5 million claim for unpaid fees and damages.

The controversial procurement saw the sacking of KAA Managing Director Lucy Mbugua, Chief Finance Officer John Tumbi as well as airport engineer Christopher Warutere.

Dropping of the case essentially clears the top management of any wrong doing.

“A report was compiled and forwarded to the DPP on 15th August, 2016 recommending that the file be closed with no further action.  On 12th October, 2016, the DPP accepted the recommendation for closure of the inquiry file,” the EACC said.