Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) in turmoil as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) summons a list of high-ranking officials for interviews and statement recordings as part of an ongoing investigation into tenders related to the provision of medical insurance, group life assurance and general insurance coverage for staff and board members in a potential procurement scandal that has sent shockwaves through the region.
This came after allegations of bidding, rigging, and collusion with suppliers to be awarded insurance tenders perpetuating corruption in the procurement process
within the Authority were raised by a Non-Govermental organization known as Capital Youth Caucus(CYCA).
Capital Youth caucus Association (CYCA) had written to the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission ( EACC) seeking for the commission to investigate claims of , corruption, abuse of office and misuse of taxpayers money by the Chairman Board of directors Kenya Maritime Authority.
“We Capital Youth Caucus Association (CYCA) wish to bring to the attention of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission(EACC) that Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) Board of Directors and management is not serving the people of Kenya but instead serving their on interests. The corruption happening at KMA is of an imaginable level that has led to poor service delivery and a state of affairs ,”reads part of the letter.
The organisation had also called for EACC to investigate claims of misuse of taxpayers’ money by the KMA board of directors.
“It has come to our attention that the board chair has been hiring taxi services yet he has in his disposal and official designated high end vehicle registration number KCH 735Q with a designated driver,” states part of their grievances.
Another organisation known as Centre for Litigation on Environment and Governance (CLEG)had also written to the Ministry of Mining, Blue economy shipping, and Maritime affairs accusing KMA Board of Directors and management of mismanagement bad governance poor service delivery and poor state of affairs at the Authority.
“Our organisation has received several complaints from members of the public in regards to mismanagement, bad governance, poor service delivery, and poor state of affairs allegedly perpetuated the board of directors and management at KMA and wish to bring to the attention of the cabinet secretary, Mining, Blue economy, shipping and Maritime affairs and your office as the permanent secretary state department of shipping Maritime affairs that Kenya Maritime authority (KMA) Board of directors and management are not serving the people of Kenya but serving their own personal interests in contravention of the constitution ” the letter read partly.
In response to these allegations the Ministry, through the Principal Secretary, directed the Director General Kenya Maritime Authority to prepare a comprehensive report detailing his findings on each of the allegations raised by the organization
“I’m writing in response to the letter dated 12th September, 2024 from Civil Litigation on environment and Governance (CLEG) ref no.CLEG/E0/VOL.III/071 containing various allegations that have been brought to my attention. It is essential that we address these matters promptly and thoroughly.
Please prepare a comprehensive report detailing your findings on each of the allegations mentioned in the attached letter. ” the letter stated.
This has prompted the EACC to summon key KMA officials for questioning.
The officials summoned include Salim Muslih, Daniel Katana, Giltzt Kulali, Catherine Mumbi, Alphonse Kioko, Ian Kanyi, Gladwel, Julius Okindo, Mary Owino, Lorna Dzombo, Jamleck Mulalya and Edwin Were.
“Reference is made to our letter Ref.EACC/MSA.6/11/11 (238) dated 24th October 2024 and your subsequent replies Vide letters Ref.KMA/PROC/4/1 dated 30th October 2024 in regards to our investigations relating to tenders for provision of medical insurance cover. Group Life Assurence cover and General insurance cover for KMA staff and Board members.
To facilitate our investigation, we invite the under listed officers for interview and statement recording'” EACC said said in a letter dated 4th November 2024.
Another bunch of officials had earlier been summoned in relation to allegations of irregular recruitment of staff and board members at KMA during the financial year 2022/2023 and 2023/2024.
They included Harrison Wambiro Gitau, Raphael Mutinda Mutisya, Dennis Mwango Kai, and Claudine Nelly Mlughu.
As the investigation unfolds, concerns are mounting over-inflated costs, questionable contracts, and the fate of millions in taxpayer funds.
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