The Defence Ministry has distanced itself from the Sh39 billion military equipment fake tender that led to the arrest and charging of former Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa.
Mr. Echesa, who allegedly used Deputy President’s office to swindle a Polish-based firm of Sh11.5 million, was arraigned on Monday and charged with 12 counts of fraud.
“In line with the foregoing, today, investigators and complainants in the matter visited (Ulinzi House) the Ministry of Defence Headquarters to ascertain the officers and the offices they allegedly used,” said the Defence Ministry in a statement released on February 17.
During the visit, the Defence Ministry said it was established that the complainants never interacted with any official mandated to represent the department and that all the mentioned documents did not emanate from Ulinzi House.
“The Ministry of Defence wishes to reiterate that we have an elaborate procurement process and structures that ensure transparency and accountability of any procurement process as guided by the Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Act (2016),” said Mr. Bogita Ongeri, the Defence ministry public communications director.
The complainant, Mr. Mamdou Amer, a director at Eco Advance Technology LLC, which was the racket’s target, said the fraudsters contacted them online and asked if they were in a position to supply the military hardware.
During negotiations, Mr. Amer said he was taken to Harambee Annex where the trader said they were quickly ushered into the building and given a warm welcome, including being served water by a woman who claimed she was the personal assistant to the Deputy President William Ruto.
On the day when Mr. Echesa was arrested, Mr. Amer said they had gone to the Harambee Annex for the signing of the tenders after a “rigorous vetting” by the sacked Sports CS and a “General Juma” on allegedly on behalf of the government.
For the alleged Sh11.5 million fraud, Mr. Echesa was charged alongside Mr. Daniel Otieno, Mr. Clifford Okoth and Mr. Kennedy Oyoo with 12 counts of attempting to defraud the organization.
The four suspects all denied the charges and were released on Sh1 million cash bail each.
