Suspended Bomas of Kenya Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Peter Gitaa Koria is set to be charged for engaging in procurement irregularities amounting to over eight million shillings.
On Friday, detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission arrested him for processing pending arraignment to face the charges.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in a statement on April 26, 2024, announced that it had made the decision to charge the suspended CEO over procurement irregularities amounting to Ksh8.58 million.
According to the ODPP, the decision followed an investigation by the EACC on procurement irregularities and splitting of tenders leading to irregular awards to suppliers in the Financial Year 2020/2021.
“The Director of Public Prosecutions has today made the Decision to Charge Mr. Peter Gitaa Koria, the suspended Chief Executive Officer of Bomas of Kenya over procurement irregularities amounting to KES.8,587,831.00,” read part of the statement.
Koria was found to have engaged in procurement irregularities in the award of three listed public tenders.
Also Read: Ruto Moves to Control Lucrative Salaries of Powerful CEOs
They include five listed quotations which were not factored in the Bomas of Kenya’s Budget and Procurement Plan FY 2020/2021.
Bomas CEO to face charges
Following the investigation, the DPP has directed that the suspect be charged with three counts.
The first charge according to the prosecution is failure to comply with the law relating to procurement by engaging in a procurement process without an approved budget.
Also Read: CEO Under Fire Over Skewed Hiring & Tender Awards
“Willful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement by engaging in a procurement process without an approved budget c/s 45(2)(b) as read together with section 48 of the Anti- Corruption & Economic Crimes Act, 2003,” the statement adds.
In addition, the embattled CEO will be charged with willful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement by failing to establish an Ad Hoc Inspection & Acceptance Committee c/s 45(2)(b).
The orders by ODPP come days after the Employment and Labour Relations Court reinstated Koria after being on a 12-month suspension pending conclusion of investigations into the case.
Koria is among six senior officers who faced suspension of duty following an order from the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Kosgei.
Koskei had announced the suspension on November 16, 2023, on the recommendation of EACC after the officers were alleged to have been involved in corruption and procurement irregularities within their respective institutions.
Justice Mathews Nderi Nduma granted the embattled CEO mandatory injunction directing the Chairperson, Board of Bomas of Kenya and Ministry of Gender, Culture, Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary to unconditionally lift his suspension from employment and immediately reinstate him, pending the hearing and determination of his petition.
Do you want to be part of an updated community without the interruptions of unwanted messages? Click the link below and join our WhatsApp Channel!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
