I’m clean in Fifa tender: ex-KBC boss

A former Kenya Broadcasting Corporation secretary has denied irregular award of broadcast tenders for last year’s World Cup finals in South Africa.

Mr Hezekiel Oira Wednesday faced three counts of directly procuring contracts with media companies to air live broadcasts in breach of procurement procedures.

The anti-corruption court was told that Mr Oira procured contracts with Federation Internationale de Footbal Association (Fifa) and Africa Union Broadcasting (AUB) to Royal Media Services and Radio Africa Ltd without the approval of the Central Tender Committee of KBC.

He is jointly charged with former KBC managing director David Waweru, who did not attend Wednesday’s session.

Trial magistrate Lucy Nyambura was told that Mr Waweru was away in Kampala, Uganda, and would be back in Kenya next week.

A defence lawyer informed the magistrate that Mr Waweru had not been summoned by the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) to have his fingerprints taken and be formally charged.

“Mr Waweru was not aware that he was expected to appear in court. He left the country for Kampala to attend to urgent business.

‘‘He will not be in the country until next week. I plead with this court to allow my client to return then I produce him before this court,” the lawyer asked the magistrate.

The prosecutor, chief inspector Robert Kyaa, confirmed that Mr Waweru had not been summoned to appear before the commission offices for formal processing before being charged.

“I apply that summons be issued to Mr Waweru to attend court on May 3, 2011. He should also be directed to present himself before KACC officers for his fingerprints to be taken,” Mr Kyaa urged.

The request was granted.

The court released Mr Oira on a cash bail of Sh200,000 with an alternative bond of Sh500,000 with a surety in similar amount.