The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is embroiled in a significant controversy involving financial impropriety and questionable procurement processes, with Managing Director Alex Gitari and key official Patrick Wanjuki at the center.
According to latest expose by Nelson Amenya an influential X figure, two pivotal contracts awarded to China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co. Ltd have raised eyebrows.
Alex Gitari, KAA boss
The first contract, dated January 5, 2024, addresses the fabrication and installation works to prevent rainwater ingress in Terminals 1A, B, C, E, and the State Pavilion at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The project, tender number KAA/DP/JKIA/0126/2023-2024, was awarded for a staggering Kshs.316,954,865.24.
This contract, signed off by Henry Ogoye, Acting Managing Director/CEO, mandates the immediate submission of acceptance and a 10% performance guarantee of the tender sum to facilitate contract documentation preparation.
However, this is not an isolated incident. A previous contract, dated August 7, 2020, and tender number KAA/OT/JKIA/0092/2019-2020, also awarded to China Jiangxi International, involved the refurbishment of Terminals 1B and 1C at JKIA.
Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) boss Patrick Wanjuki
Initially, the bid submitted on May 29, 2020, was nullified following a complaint lodged with the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board. Despite the cancellation on July 16, 2020, the bid was re-evaluated, and the company was re-awarded the contract for Kshs.963,541,535.22, inclusive of all taxes. This notification was signed by Alex Gitari, AG. Managing Director/CEO.
The recurring theme in these contracts highlights potential mismanagement and favoritism within the procurement process at KAA. The substantial sums involved and the repeated selection of the same contractor point to deeper systemic issues.
Leaked confidential document from Kenya Airways Authority
As the situation unfolds, the spotlight remains on Gitari and Wanjuki to address these allegations and restore transparency and integrity to the authority’s operations. The KAA’s adherence to the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act of 2015 will be scrutinized as stakeholders call for accountability in these high-stakes contracts.
All the same, it remains to be seen whether relevant agencies will commence arrests and prosecution of such individuals to prevent such happenings in the future. Also, there have been increased calls by Kenyans to have the money recovered.
