By Betty Luke
Seven former Isiolo county officials accused of aiding a procurement fraud relating to Sh58.5 million fire engine tender have been released on Sh3 million bond.
The officials who were arrested Wednesday faced 12 counts among them wilful failure to comply with procurement laws, unlawful acquisition of public property and abuse of office.
The seven, some of them working in the current regime, are among a group of 13 individuals believed to have aided the illegal award of the tender to Drescoll Limited.
The anti-graft agency revealed that the tendering process had been marred with irregularities noting that the letters issued to the unsuccessful bidders were dated two days before the awarding date.
Contrary to the procurement provision that an advance payment should not exceed 20 percent of the initial price, Drescoll Limited was paid Sh29, 280,000 according to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
It was further established that contrary to a quote on the bid that indicated a Sino Truck from China with a capacity of 10,000 liters would be delivered, the company delivered a 7,500 litre capacity Iveco from Turkey.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate Lucy Mutahi, the accused persons were granted an alternative cash bail of Sh400,000 each.
The matter will be mentioned on February 6, 2024.
