Laptops fiasco: Who takes responsibility?

What you need to know:

  • Those who oversaw the tainted procurement cannot possibly be allowed to again oversee the recommended actions.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has defended itself after the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board annulled its award of the Sh24 billion primary school laptops project.

A statement signed yesterday by Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi insisted that the controversial procurement had been handled with honesty, accountability and sense of responsibility.

The ministry also pledged to respect the findings of the review board and expedite the process towards awarding the tender afresh after the disqualification of the initial winner.

This does not change, however, the fact that the findings of the Procurement Review Board were a severe indictment of the ministry and all the organs that managed a sizeable tender found to have been riddled with irregularities.

Already, some MPs are calling on the Cabinet secretary and other officials involved to step aside.

While we would not want to add our voices to any political lynch mobs, we have to state that we back, without reservation, the inculcation of a culture in which those in positions of leadership learn to take responsibility for their actions.

The finding that the laptops tender was flawed should serve as a signal to those who managed the process to own up and take responsibility.

It follows that those who oversaw the tainted procurement cannot possibly be allowed to again oversee the recommended actions. That responsibility can only be taken up by persons not tainted.

And if the ruling of the procurement board calls for further investigation into possible corruption or mismanagement, it follows, naturally, that all individuals under the spotlight must step aside so investigations can proceed without hindrance.