Kimunya urged to seek Cabinet nod on tender
What you need to know:
- In a letter to the Office of the President, the Prime Minister’s office insists that no further action on the multi-billion-shilling procurement should be taken until the Cabinet takes a position on the matter.
- Dr Isahakia states that KAA acted in contempt by delivering resolutions “on a matter that the Cabinet remains seized of, and that are contrary to an express Cabinet directive”.
- Mr Kimunya, who ordered the cancellation of the tender, has also been accused of defying directives from the Attorney General and PPOA not to cancel the tender.
The Prime Minister’s office has warned Transport minister Amos Kimunya against fresh attempts to revive the controversial multi-billion-shilling airport expansion project without Cabinet approval.
Mr Kimunya appeared to be taking a lone ranger approach on the Sh56 billion tender as the Office of the President also seems reluctant to support his efforts.
The minister appointed a new team to oversee the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport expansion project. (READ: Kimunya names new team to oversee airport project)
In a letter to the Office of the President, the Prime Minister’s office insists that no further action on the multi-billion-shilling procurement should be taken until the Cabinet takes a position on the matter.
The letter by the permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr Mohammed Isahakia, criticises the Kenya Airports Authority board for defying a Cabinet directive on the procurement.
“This office is in agreement with the views expressed in your letter Ref No OP/CAB 1/65A of July 27, 2012 and those of the Attorney General in his letter No AG/CONT/2/C/23 VOL III dated July 2012 on the Kenya Airports Authority’s board’s resolution to cancel the award of the above mentioned contract,” reads Dr Isahakia’s letter dated August 18.
Dr Isahakia states that KAA acted in contempt by delivering resolutions “on a matter that the Cabinet remains seized of, and that are contrary to an express Cabinet directive”.
On Tuesday, the Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) board sat to review a case presented by an offended contractor seeking to have a decision by the minister to cancel the tender previously awarded to them.
PPOA is expected to give its verdict after hearing all the parties.
Mr Kimunya, who ordered the cancellation of the tender, has also been accused of defying directives from the Attorney General and PPOA not to cancel the tender.
On Friday, Mr Kimunya gazetted an 11-member committee to oversee the implementation of the project. The minister appointed Mr Gabriel Kivuti to chair the committee.
