The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has addressed concerns about a recent auction exercise where participants complained about fraudulent bidding.
In a statement on Tuesday, February 8, the Authority confirmed that its auction held on February 7, 2024, was marred with fraud complaints.
According to KeNHA, some members of the public frustrated the auction of select items in the process which included vehicles and other assets.
In the exercise held at KeNHA’s Corridor ‘A’ offices, in Athi River, bidders were given an opportunity to assess the items on offer and their published reserve prices within the allowed guidelines.
However, some bidders failed to honor their quoted bids as required and hence raised suspicion about transparency in the process.
“The Authority, however, reads mischief in the select bidders’ offer since they have not honored their bids,” the statement read in part.
Consequently, KeNHA announced that the said bidders will lose their auction deposit of Ksh60,000 as the penalty for failing to honor their offers.
Also Read: KeNHA Announces Auction of Vehicles; How to Bid
In addition, the items in question will be processed for a fresh auction. In its statement, KeNHA assured that the repeat of the process would be done in compliance with guidelines governing procurement process to ensure transparency, fairness, and adherence to the set regulations.
“The Authority commits to promote accountability and efficiency in public procurement, ultimately serving the interests of the citizens and the public good,” KeNHA added.
KeNHA video goes viral
The auction exercise held on February 6 almost turned chaotic after participants in the process confronted the organizers over claims that some people quoted high bids in attempts to rig others out.
Also Read: Govt Announces Auction of Vehicles; How to Bid
In a video that went viral on social media, the angry participants upon reading mischief demanded immediate payment of Ksh8 million a participant had quoted to reportedly buy a Toyota Prado Land Cruiser.
“It was Ksh4 million, and I asked them whether they (bidders) are serious, and now they have gone up to Ksh8 million, I am an auctioneer. If he pays would there be a problem?” the man presiding over the auction was heard pleading with the infuriated participants.
But the participants were determined to ensure fairness in the exercise and pushed for a repeat or immediate settlement of the auction as they felt the high bid was meant to lock them out of the auction unfairly.
Commenting under the post announcing cancellation of the auction process, Kenyans came out to call out fraudulent activities that are used to rig auction exercise by government agencies.
