MPs want pipeline contract suspended

MPs have demanded immediate suspension of the Sh43 billion pipeline upgrade project awarded to an international company over alleged irregularities.

Both the Public Investments Committee and the Energy Committee claim the management of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) was involved in anomalies in the award of the project to Zakhem International Construction Ltd to rehabilitate the 450km Mombasa—Nairobi pipeline.

KPC signed the tender contract with Zakhem on Tuesday after the High Court and the Public Procurement Oversight Authority cleared it from allegations of malpractice in the award of the tender.

But MPs have demanded that the project be stopped to allow investigations by the two parliamentary teams.

KPC’s management is also on the spot for allegedly snubbing invitations to attend inquiry meetings with the two committees.

The managing director, Mr Charles Tanui has failed to honour seven invitations from PIC and three invitations from the Energy committee on the project and related issues.

The committee chairmen, speaking separately on Wednesday, said their teams have been very kind and too lenient with the management on invitations to appear for questioning.

PIC chairman Adan Keynan said KPC has been acknowledging receipt of invitations but giving ‘flimsy’ excuses for not being able to attend.

Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa said the committee might be forced to summon the MD and his managerial team to appear before it. “KPC is holding not just this committee but the entire Parliament in contempt and we might be forced to take action,” he said.

Funyula MP Paul Otuoma said the committee must move with speed to stop any activities the company may be involved in at the moment.

“It is obvious they intend to do some things before showing up before this committee so as to circumvent the investigative process,” he said.