Two officials from the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) in Makueni County are at the center of a major corruption scandal after they were allegedly filmed receiving bribes from contractors in Kitengela to influence the awarding of road tenders.
The officers, identified as Moffat Kitheka (ICT) and Lilian Chepkemoi (procurement), are accused of extorting money from contractors in exchange for favorable consideration during the ongoing tender evaluation process for road projects in Makueni County.
Caught on Camera
According to reports, the two officials were last week caught red-handed in what sources describe as a “stealth operation,” where they were allegedly recorded receiving bribes from contractors operating vehicles described as a Prado and a Premio.
The evaluation process for the tenders is currently being conducted at the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) grounds in Kitengela, where the officials are said to have been summoning contractors and demanding payments.
Sources claim the duo has been “auctioning” tenders to contractors willing to comply with their demands, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the procurement process.
Longstanding Allegations
Contractors and elected leaders from Makueni County have reportedly raised concerns in the past over the conduct of the two officials, accusing them of being part of a wider network involved in corrupt tendering practices.
They allege that in previous evaluations, the same officers took bribes and awarded contracts to unqualified and questionable contractors, undermining service delivery and infrastructure quality in the county.
“ These officers are causing a lot of damage and must be disciplined,” said an MP from Makueni.
“ We will not sit back and allow them mess us up.”
Calls for Immediate Action
Contractors are now appealing to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and KeRRA headquarters to urgently intervene and take disciplinary action against the implicated officers.
The scandal has sparked outrage among stakeholders, with calls for thorough investigations and prosecution of those involved to restore confidence in the tendering process.
The alleged bribery scheme threatens to compromise critical road development projects in Makueni County, with fears that contracts may be awarded based on kickbacks rather than merit.
If proven, the case could expose deep-rooted corruption within the procurement system and trigger wider investigations into operations within KeRRA.
As pressure mounts, all eyes are now on anti-corruption authorities to act swiftly and decisively in addressing the allegations and safeguarding public resources.
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