The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has invited bids for the construction of the Kilgoris Airstrip. The development will be located next to President William Ruto’s expansive property in Kilgoris.
In a tender notice dated February 11, 2024, KAA outlined the project’s details, inviting qualified contractors to submit their bids for the construction of the airstrip.
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The bidding process will be conducted through an open competitive tendering method, with submissions required by February 27, 2025.
Further, KAA’s tender document specifies that bidders must provide tender security of Ksh3 million and that the procurement process will be fully digitized, with the tender opening taking place virtually.
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However, the project’s location near President Ruto’s vast estate has raised eyebrows, with some observers speculating about potential private benefits linked to the development.
“The Procuring Entity shall award the Contract to the successful tenderer whose tender has been determined to be the Lowest Evaluated Tender,” KAA notes in the document.
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Also Read: Proposal to Rename Airstrip After President Ruto Made
Tender Details and Requirements
KAA has outlined several conditions for participation in the tendering process.
First, the tender is open to private entities, state-owned enterprises, and joint ventures (JVs) that meet the stipulated criteria. JV members must be jointly and severally liable for contract execution.
Additionally, public officers and their immediate relatives are ineligible to tender and conflict of interest among tenderers will lead to automatic disqualification.
The authority has also explained that tenderers found guilty of corrupt, fraudulent, coercive, or obstructive practices will be disqualified.
On the other hand, foreign bidders must source at least 40% of their contract inputs, including supplies, subcontracts, and labor, from Kenyan citizen suppliers and contractors. Failure to meet this criterion results in automatic disqualification.
Also, the bidders must provide a tender security of Ksh3,000,000.
The deadline for tender submission is has been set for February 27, 2025, at 11:00 AM, through the KAA eProcurement portal.
Also Read: Airline Suspends Flights to Airstrip Commissioned by Ruto in 2022
KAA Explains Tenderer’s Responsibilities
The tenderer shall bear all costs associated with the preparation and submission of his/her tender, and the Procuring Entity will in no case be responsible or liable for those costs.
Further, the tenderer, at the tenderer’s own responsibility and risk, has been encouraged to visit, examine and inspect the site of the works and its surroundings and obtain all information that may be necessary for preparing the tender and entering into a contract for construction of the Works.
“The costs of visiting the Site shall be at the tenderer’s own expense.”
Moreover, the tenderer and any of its personnel or agents will be granted permission by the Procuring Entity to enter its premises and lands for the purpose of such a visit.
The Tenderer shall indemnify the Procuring Entity against all liability arising from death or personal injury, loss of or damage to property, and any other losses and expenses incurred as a result of the examination and inspection.
“The Contract shall not be signed earlier than the expiry of a Standstill Period of 14 days to allow any dissatisfied tender to launch a complaint. Where only one Tender is submitted, the Standstill Period shall not apply.
“Where a Standstill Period applies, it shall commence when the Procuring Entity has transmitted to each Tenderer the Notification of Intention to Enter into a Contract with the successful Tenderer.”
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