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State could lose Sh7m in  prison food supply scams

Up to Sh7 million could be lost for supplies that were never made to Wundanyi Prison in Taita Taveta through three companies owned by prison warders said to have been irregularly awarded contracts to supply food between 2012 and 2013. PHOTO| ZACHARIA CHILISWA

By  JONATHAN MANYINDO

What you need to know:

  • Three companies owned by prison warders are said to have been irregularly awarded contracts to supply food between 2012 and 2013.
  • There are also reports that a person claiming to be a personal assistant to the deputy president is helping the push for payments.
  • According to the store register, no food stuffs were received during the period under review. 

Up to Sh7 million could be lost for supplies that were never made to Wundanyi Prison in Taita Taveta.

Three companies owned by prison warders are said to have been irregularly awarded contracts to supply food between 2012 and 2013. However, even though they failed to deliver anything, they are now demanding payment.

A source told the Nation that the companies have presented the officer in charge of the prison, Mr Hamisi Bakari, with invoices.

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The owners of the companies are said to be taking advantage of their relationship with a senior officer in Kisii to push for the payments. They said to have relatives in Malindi who ensured they were prequalified to make supplies.

There are also reports that a person claiming to be a personal assistant to the deputy president is helping the push for payments.

APPROVE PAYMENTS

“If the officer in charge approves the payments, the government will lose millions of shillings,” said.

“In some cases, they supplied just a few kilogrammes of beans and maize but are demanding payment for everything contained in the order,” said the source.

“On a few occasions, we received 50kgs of beans instead of 90 but as you know we are only there to watch and receive what were are given and not to question anything,” said the source.

However, Mr Bakari said he was aware of the deals and had launched investigations before any payments can me made. “I know  deals were cut. May be that is why I was confronted with threats when I reported here this year,” he said.

According to the store register, no food stuffs were received during the period under review. 

The source said one of the officers behind the scam has forged documents which he is using to demand payment. “He  has also cautioned those working in the stores not to disclose the fact that he had not delivered the goods,” said the source.

The source said at one time the supplier delivered fewer kilogrammes of beans but claim for the quoted quantity.

But the officer in charge Mr Hamisi Bakari confirmed that he was aware of the deals and was investigating it before he can authorize the payment.

FOLLOWING PROCEDURE

He said since he reported to the station early this year he was confronted with intimidations from un known people over the payments.

“I fear for my life but all this is happening because of my stand that laid down procurement procedures must be followed and if the supplier did not deliver that is breach of contract which should be punished by the law,” he said.

He said the matter was being handled by investigators from the Prisons service but Ethics and anti corruption commission is likely to join soon.

This is after a retired prison officer confirmed that he was hired to transport fire wood cut by prisoners to the station only to find out that someone else was being paid for that.