The Ministry of Interior is on the spot over claims of inflation of a security and communication equipment tender at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Potential suppliers have raised questions over the Sh1.7 billion tender which is said to be grossly inflated compared to other countries where the Geneva-based SITA (Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques) multinational has delivered similar services.
SITA is a multinational information technology company providing IT and telecommunication services to the air transport industry.
Players in the industry feel the money is being inflated to benefit a few people within and outside of the government.
Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki had announced plans to install the Advanced Passenger Information (API) system as well as e-Gates at the country’s entry points for easy profiling of passengers and convenience.
Eliminating queues
The new systems, the CS said, will be critical in boosting the country’s security and eliminating queues as passengers await their immigration stamps.
“APIS will be supplemented with the installation of e-Gates at JKIA and our ports of entry.
Besides being a major boost in assisting our immigration and security endeavors, this APIS system and e-Gates will eliminate queues at our immigration counters,” Kindiki said.
But now the equipment which is set to be integrated into the international immigration system to enable one to profile passengers traveling in and out of Kenya and even those transiting through the country before they land could see tax-payers pay more than the value of the services being offered.
Kindiki said the government is also working to improve the electronic surveillance at the ports’ gates to be able to detect prohibited items.
Suppliers have complained that the Kenyan government seems to have significantly raised the cost of the services, despite their significantly lower prices in other countries.
In Brazil, a similar service is offered by the company at an annual cost of BR$1.733.342,37 Brazilian reals, equivalent to about $362,000.
This is equivalent to Sh243.4 million.
In Kenya, the same service provided by the company carries a price tag of approximately $12,000,000 per year, or Sh1.7 billion.
“The glaring question arises as to why the same services provided by the same company are 100 times more expensive in Kenya compared to other countries,” a local supplier who spoke on condition of anonymity said.
Fairness has also been questioned in the tendering process which is said to have deprived local companies of an equitable opportunity to participate, ensuring transparency and fair competition.
Other officials aware of the issue said it was being rushed and many have asked for its delay to ensure prudence.
Kindiki and PS Raymond Omollo did not respond to our queries over the same.
Interior Ministry Spokesman Francis Gachiuri said he was not in a position to comment as he has not been appraised over the matter.
“I am not in a position to comment because I have not been appraised on the issue,” he said.
Another official demanded that the “procurement laws of Kenya be respected”.
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