A fake tendering racket has hit the Ministry of Health with fraudsters using superimposed details of senior ministry including those of Principal Secretary Susan Mochache in making forged requisitions amounting to hundreds of millions.
However, the ministry has since issued a cautionary public notice warning suppliers to be wary of falling prey to the well-orchestrated con-game.
“The ministry would like to inform the general public that the tender notice below that is being circulated does not exist. Tender No: MOH/ NCCP/ONT/003/2021-2022. Tender Name: H9K FLEX POWER WHEELCHAIR (30 UNITS) For Kenyatta National Hospital. Purported Eligibility: Open National Tender,” read the notice.
One of the firms that contacted The Informer and had unknowingly participated in the fraudulent tender was yesterday issued with a letter of award and a Local Service Order amounting to Sh7.5million.
Upon enquiring from the ministry, they were informed the tender is a fraud.
“We have even published a public notice with regard to that tender. It is fake. Some con men are sending suppliers this contract. Our contracts are advertised on the official website.” A senior official from MoH said.
In the past, government offices have been victims of a reported number of fraud cases.
This is despite the government’s announcing that all procurement tenders be uploaded to the government portal.
“The Public Procurement Information Portal is an online platform provided by Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) for publication of contract awards and tender notices by Procuring Entities,” reads a statement on its website.
In February this year, three Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials were found guilty of defrauding the poll agency Sh105 million meant for lantern during the 2013 General election.
Chief Magistrate Lawrence found former IEBC officials Kennedy Gaunye Ochae, Gabriel Ngonyo Mutunga, and Willie Gachanja Kamanga guilty of altering tender documents submitted by Solarmak Technologies Limited for the supply of solar lanterns for use during the 2013 polls.
Ben Gethi, National Youth Service (NYS) suspect, was convicted alongside Joyce Makena, both directors of Solarmak Technologies, the firm which was at the center of the electoral fraud.
Gethi and Makena were convicted for the offenses of forging a tax compliance certificate issued by the assistant commissioner of the domestic tax department at Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
In 2020, two men were charged with fraud and forgery over a fake laptops supply tender to Deputy President William Ruto’s office.
Charles Musinga and Solomon Mwema had been accused of attempting to defraud the DP’s office by alleging they could supply laptops valued at Sh180 million.
On August 22, 2018, a similar case was reported where Teddy Awiti along with three other accomplices tried to defraud Ruto’s office, alleging they could supply 2,800 pieces of HP laptops valued at Sh180 million.
The offense is reported to have been committed between June 1 and August 12, 2018.
“With intent to defraud by means of offering tender documents under the name of the office of the deputy president, the accused falsely pretended that he was carrying out a genuine tender business and that he was able to deliver 2,800 pieces of HP laptops valued at Sh180 million to the office of the deputy president, a fact he knew to be false,” the charge sheet read in part.
In the same year, over 40 people were under investigation following the Sh9 billion NYS tender scam.
Former Public Service PS Lilian Omollo and ex-NYS director general Richard Ndambiri alongside other top officials were forced to step aside to pave way for investigations.