Firm in graft probe had forged documents: KACC
One of the companies at the centre of investigations into corruption at the Ministry of Water and Irrigation was irregularly registered as a contractor, it has emerged.
Broad Visions Utilities Ltd was registered as a contractor using a forged letter of recommendation from another firm.
The firm has been awarded contracts worth more than Sh25 million since 2008.
The firm’s two directors could be charged with “uttering a false document” if the Director of Public Prosecutions acts on the recommendations of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC).
The firm is owned by Mr Dennis Edmond Apaa, who is married to Tourism assistant minister Cecily Mbarire, and Mr Billy Indeche, Water minister Charity Ngilu’s son-in-law. (READ: Mbarire threatens to sue over bribery claims)
The two are accused of forging a letter of recommendation from Civi-Tech Consultants, which had been allegedly signed by one Wilson Nyaga Karinga, the firm’s managing partner.
But KACC found the letter was forged, the letterhead was not even from the firm and it was dated November 2002, while Broad Visions was registered in 2008.
Mr Karinga also said his firm had never dealt with Broad Visions and had never worked on a job in Karen/Langata as alleged in the forged letter.
“It is evident that Dennis Apaa and Billy Indeche presented the forged letter (to the registration officer at the ministry) as part of the documents attached for application seeking the registration of Broad Visions as a contractor.
“They must have known that the document was false. They stood to gain, as they did, from the perpetuation of forgery,” states the letter signed by former KACC head Patrick Lumumba.
Prof Lumumba left office last week after the passing of the law establishing the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to replace KACC.
The law demands that Prof Lumumba and his four deputies step aside for a new leadership to take charge of the war on corruption. (READ:MPs vote to send anti-graft team home)
This came days after Prof Lumumba traded corruption allegations with Mr Apaa and Ms Mbarire.
The anti-graft body has also recommended that administrative action be taken against the Director of Water Services, Mr Lawrence Simitu, and the deputy director in charge of construction, Mr Gatere Kuria.
Negligent officers
The KACC accuses the pair of negligence and failing to carry out due diligence on Broad Visions.
Mr Simitu is described as the “ultimate registering authority” at the ministry given his role in evaluating applications.
The registration process involved filling in the application form, with the ministry charged with scrutinizing the ability of the firm to do the prescribed work.
Water Permanent Secretary David Ndubi Stower told the investigators that the registering authority should confirm the ownership of equipment and plant by the applicant.
“Without proof of ownership, Broad Visions Utility Limited could not therefore qualify for registration as a contractor,” the PS is said to have told KACC detectives.
