The office of the Judiciary Chief Registrar Anne Atieno Amadi is at the center of focus in a two tier graft probe ordered by the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji after it emerged some of the recommendations to have multi-million tenders was never implemented.
The Informer has established investigators are seeking to adduce evidence on the act of commission or commission by Amadi’s office adversely implicated in the whistle blowing petition in the corridors of justice.
Haji directed for comprehensive probe into the management of funds at the Judiciary by both the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (Eacc). Haji singled out four areas of focus notably internal audit, income tax house conversion, medical insurance cover and provision of security services.
“Upon receipt of the reports, the DPP consulted with the Chief Justice who raised similar concerns. Consequently, the DPP has directed investigations to commence immediately by both the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC),” reads part of the statement.
The DPP observed there were fraudulent activities in revenue management at the Milimani Law Courts that led to loss of Ksh.36 million. He also want Sh808 million medical insurance contract that was awarded by the Judiciary in 2015 but was later cancelled in October 2016 investigated.
Our investigations have established the security contract awarded to Lavington Security Ltd was cancelled and Amadi directed to re-advertise the tender. In their ruling, the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB) said due diligence was not followed in awarding the Sh198 million tender for guarding all judiciary premises and courts.
The board then chaired by Josephine Mong’are directed the nullification of the contract, after Bedrock Security Services Limited lodged an appeal disputing the tender process. “This board orders the Chief Registrar of Judiciary to nullify the security tender awarded to Lavington Security and re-advertise it afresh,” ruled Mong’are at hearing at the PPARB headquarters in Nairobi.
The complainant was among 15 firms that had expressed interest in providing the services across the country but nine firms, including Lavington Security, did not indicate the bid amount as required by law. Mong’are also directed that two judiciary officers adversely mentioned in the process be investigated by the employer. “The registrar should launch a probe on the conduct of the two officers, and punish them if the claims are true,” the ruling read.
Bedrock Security Services Ltd filed a petition at the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board, saying Lavington Security Ltd was favoured. They also pointed out omissions in the process and claimed that the successful bidder did not meet the requirements.
In a December 23, 2016 a letter notifying Lavington Security of the award, the bid is indicated as Sh198.81 million even as the same letter says the company did not indicate the cost. Bedrock Company submitted it has been providing security services to the Judiciary since 2015, pursuant to a two-year contract which was subject to extension upon satisfactory performance.
