Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala is being investigated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission over irregular awarding of a Ksh100 million tender.
Detectives conducted dawn raids last Monday in Balala’s Nairobi office and his homes in Nairobi, Vipingo, Kilifi, and Mombasa. According to reports from a local newspaper, they recovered crucial documents to help with the on-going probe.
It is alleged that the CS awarded a Ksh100 million contract to a local company to provide unspecified services during expos held in Nairobi two years ago. Sleuths claimed the company is a conduit for state officers to siphon public funds.
The firm was contracted during 2016/2017 fiscal year to offer services during tourism exhibitions held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC). Investigations indicated that neither was the company among those pre-qualified during the contract period nor did the department have a budget for the year.
“The ministry has not been able to show us which type of services were offered or provide documents on how the payments were done,” a source privy to the investigation intimated.
On Wednesday, the anti-graft body wrote to Balala directing him to avail himself at Integrity Centre to record a statement. The letter signed by EACC Director of Investigations Abdi Mohamud, directed the Cabinet Secretary to appear before detectives on Monday.
Speaking to a reporter from a local newspaper, Balala’s personal assistant Said Athman said, “I have just spoken to Balala and he is not aware of any raid conducted in his residence or office.”
