Bomas CEO Peter Gitaa Arrested Over Ksh.8M Tender Scandal
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives have apprehended Peter Gitaa Koria, CEO of Bomas of Kenya, for his involvement in an alleged procurement fraud totaling Ksh.8,587,831.
The arrest occurred after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) approved charges against him on Friday. This decision was based on an investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which found him responsible for procurement irregularities and the division of tenders, resulting in fraudulent contracts awarded to suppliers.
Mr. Koria is currently detained at the EACC Integrity Centre Police Station in Nairobi, awaiting his court appearance on Monday.
The ODPP previously informed newsrooms that Koria will face charges for deliberately not adhering to procurement laws, initiating a procurement process without an authorized plan, and neglecting to form an Ad Hoc Inspection and Acceptance Committee to review five tenders he allegedly issued improperly.
“Koria was found to have engaged in procurement irregularities in the award of the following public tenders: Quotation No.15/Kitchen Items; Quotation No.16/Utensils; Quotation No.17/Kitchen Items; Quotation No.18/Plates & Cups and Quotation No.19/Cutlery & Other Items which were not factored in the Bomas of Kenya’s Budget and Procurement Plan FY 2020/2021,” read the statement.
The arrest occurred one week after the Employment and Labour Relations Court instructed the Bomas of Kenya board to fully revoke Koria’s suspension, as detailed in a letter dated November 20, 2023.
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The court ruled that Koria must be reinstated while the petition is being heard and decided upon. Koria had been suspended for a year based on EACC’s recommendations.
“Considering that no criminal charges have yet been brought against the applicant in terms of section 62 of AECA, 2023 by the 2nd respondent; and keeping in mind that the suspension occurred on 20th November 2023 about five (5) months from the date of this ruling; the applicant has satisfied the threshold required for grant of the interim injunction,” the court ruled then.
In November 2023, the EACC advised the Head of Public Service to suspend six CEOs, 67 police officers, and an accountant at the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) due to suspected corruption and procurement issues. Koria was one of the CEOs who faced suspension.
The other Executives included; Eng. Fredrick Mwamati (CEO, Tanathi Water Works Development Agency), Stephen Ogenga (DG, National Industrial Training Authority), Stanvas Ong’alo (Acting DG, National Museums of Kenya), Benjamin Kai Chilumo (CEO, Huduma Centre Secretariat), and Eng. Anthony Wamukota (GM, Design & Construction, KETRACO).
Justice Nduma Nderi on April 18, 2024, however, quashed Mr. Koria’s suspension and reinstated him back to office.
Bomas CEO Peter Gitaa Arrested Over Ksh.8M Tender Scandal