Suspended Bomas CEO Koria arrested

Bomas of Kenya CEO Peter Gitaa Koria has been arrested earlier today, after recommendations by EACC to charge him with a Sh8,587,831 procurement fiasco.

Confirming the arrest, EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi said that the suspect is currently detained at the EACC Integrity Centre police station, and will be arraigned on Monday.

On April 18, Justice Nduma Nderi quashed Gitaa's suspension and reinstated him back to office.

He was among 74 public officers including CEOs suspended from office on recommendations of EACC to the Head of Public Service, in November 2023.

The suspended Bomas of Kenya CEO will be charged for allegedly engaging in procurement irregularities amounting, to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

In another statement, ODPP also said the decision followed an investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission on alleged procurement irregularities and splitting of tenders leading to irregular award of tenders to suppliers in the 2020-21 Financial Year.

ODPP said the CEO reportedly engaged in the award of five tenders which were not factored in the Bomas of Kenya Budget and Procurement Plan FY 2020-21.

The CEO will be charged with alleged “wilful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement by engaging in a procurement process without an approved budget.”

The ODPP further said the CEO will be charged with alleged failure to comply with the law relating to procurement by engaging in a procurement process without an approved procurement plan.

It said he will also be charged with reported wilful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement by failing to establish an Ad Hoc Inspection and Acceptance Committee.

“ODPP remains committed to executing its constitutional mandate in accordance with the rule of law and further, with due regard to the public interest, the administration of justice and avoidance of abuse of legal process,” the statement read.

The decision by the ODPP comes just a week after the Employment and Labour Relations Court directed the Bomas of Kenya board to 'unconditionally' lift the suspension of Koria as communicated vide a letter dated November 20, 2023.

EACC expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling and promised to appeal against the same.