BY SAM ALFAN.
Senior officials of Communication Authority have been charged with failing to comply with the law in the procurement laws.
The court heard that Joyce Nyambache, the head of procurement, Peris Nkonge, Stanley Kibe, John Omo, Leo Kibet, Muthusi Mutua, Vincent Ikovo, Jane Cheptanui and Philip Kipkemoi, failed to comply with the law while procuring services to renovate Nairobi ASK stand.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges when they appeared before Milimani Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti.
The charges stated that on September 22, 2014 in Nairobi, being public officers tender committee members and concerned with the management of public funds, jointly and willfully failed to comply procurement laws.
Nyambache was accused of failing to report direct procurement of value exceeding Sh500,000 within the stipulated time by Public Procurement Oversight Authority for the renovation of the Nairobi ASK show stand. She is further accused of failing to issue notice to all bidders as required by law.
The court issued summons to Nkonge, Muthosi and Omo who were not present in court. The court heard that Omo is secretary general African Telecommunications Union which enjoys diplomatic immunity.
Ogoti was told that he is currently out of the country and was not aware of the case because no summons had been issued to him.
As for Muthusi, the court was told that he works for International Telecommunications Union and is currently in Geneva.
The court directed that the deposit cash bail of Sh500,000 in court to secure their release or deposit bond of Sh1.5 million. They were also ordered to deposit their passport in court and those still working with CA to only return to their offices accompanied by the investigating officers.
By the time of this publication all accused had paid for cash bail and spotted by NairobiTimez leaving Milimani law court at 4 pm.