The recruitment process for a substantive managing director at Kenya Ports Authority kicked off in earnest last week after the position was advertised.
The advertisement by KPA board chairman Joseph Kibwana asked interested candidates to apply by April 24. KPA said it was looking to recruit an individual with a high degree of integrity and professionalism, impeccable administrative capabilities and strategic orientation.
“The individual should be a holder of a Bachelors and Masters Degree in either of the following namely; Port Management, Maritime and Shipping Logistics, Engineering, Business, Social Sciences, Public Policy or Science and Technology from a recognized institution,” the advert read.
The candidate is expected to have at least a year of relevant work experience and must have served for not less than eight years in a managerial or leadership role in a large organization.
Candidates who have an understanding of the port industry and naval operations will have an added advantage. The appointment is on contractual terms for an initial period of three years and is renewable for another term based on performance and business development.
Rashid Salim has since been appointed managing director in acting capacity. Daniel Manduku resigned from the post in a letter to Transport cabinet secretary James Macharia a few weeks ago and the board picked Salim to take over his position that capacity. Sources have hinted that if all factors remain constant, Salim could be picked for the job.
But even as the recruitment of a new MD is ongoing, a vicious war over multi billion shillings cancelled tenders has erupted with owners of affected tenders keen to play a key role in influencing the appointment of the next MD.
The cancellation of the 22 huge KPA tenders at ago and the explanation given shocked the bidders who spent time and money on the tendering process. KPA also lost a lot of resources through advertisement in the media and allowances for tender evaluation committee members.
Insiders point out that the problem lies with lack of professional knowledge at KPA’s procurement and supplies department and entrenched corrupt practices. It claimed the current appointees in the department are unqualified and were only pushed by godfathers to occupy the positions to protect personal interests.
“The acting head of procurement and supplies Aza Dzengo and and his two acting principal officers do not qualify to hold posts they are holding. They were made to jump grades yet they have no professional qualifications,” said a top manager at the port unhappy with the lowering of standards in the key department.
One Moses Sirgoi, a musician who had been indicted by the port’s ethics and integrity department over his infamous role in a certain tender was controversially promoted bypassing his seniors until becoming an acting principal in charge of KPA tenders. It is claimed, a certain Kalenjin tycoon spent heavily to plant him in the department.
And one Cosmas Makori who was moved from the department to Kisumu early last year is said to be working his way back and wants to be head of procurement. He participated in interviews and is said to have emerged winner courtesy of being assisted by port cartels.
However, he is stuck as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is said to be having issues with his integrity. He has, however, boasted to friends that he is looking for money to clear his name with the EACC. The cartels pushing Makori have a plan B in one Jira, of Coast water. It is said if EACC fails to compromise and clear Makori, then Jira will be picked.
Among the cancelled tenders which the incoming port MD is expected to re-advertise and award to the influential operatives includes tender number KPA/063/2018-19 TE for supply and commissioning of forty new skeletal trailers whose value was Sh225 million.
The companies that bid for the tender included Unique suppliers Limited, Belyne Freight and Logistics Limited, Browett Cargo Trading Company Limited, Buiscar Cargo Limited, Thorncliff Limited, Altair Company Limited, ZPMC Africa (Pty) Ltd and Artlantis Investments Ltd.
Tender number KPA/092/2018-19/CCE was for maintenance and repair services for motor vehicles. Six firms had applied namely; M/s Excel Auto Spares Ltd, Vouch Engineering Services Ltd, Liya Motors Engineering Contractors, M/s Jaffrey Motors Ltd, Final Auto Centre Ltd and Power Parts Ltd.
Tender number KPA/057/2018-19/MO was for five portable pilot units/gadgets and one berthing aid station valued at Sh50 million. It was under direct procurement from Double Portion Agency Ltd. Port officials claimed the bidder was non-responsive after the company refused to accept the amount requested as a bribe.
Tender number KPA/094/2018-19/CCE- was designated for framework contract for supply of vehicle spares. Black Wealth Enterprises, Maeji Kaiho International Ltd, Belyne Freight and Logistics, Vouch Engineering Services Ltd, Lais Link Enterprises. Powernet Ltd, Insignia Group, Mutsimoto and Power Parts Ltd tendered.
Then tender number KPA/126/2018-19/MO was for procurement of statutory occupational safety and health audit. A total of nine firms showed interest and they are Kurrent Technologies, John Environmental Safety and Health Services, Safety and Environment Consultant, Josper Ltd, I Care International Ltd, Safepro Ltd, Varel Engineering Co Ltd, Micamo Consultant and Petsavic FHS Services.
While tender number KPA/127/2018-19/ICT was for the implementation of SAP real estate at a cost of Sh20 million The bidders were Eco Plan Management Ltd, Eim Solutions Ltd and Atlancis Technologies Ltd.
Tender number KPA/128/2018-19/ICT was for request of proposal for SAP Supplier Relationship Management upgrade implementation costing Sh75 million and bidders were Enterprises Information Management Solution Ltd and Atlantis Technologies Ltd.
Consequently, tender number KPA/124/ 2018-19/ISS for supply, installation, configuration and testing of vehicle pass label management software attracted Spec System of South Africa who placed their bid for the tender.
Elsewhere, tender number KPA/083/2018-19/MO for servicing, inspecting and certification of decompression chamber and diving equipment attarcted Hamonas Enterprises Company Ltd who expressed interest.
Yet tender number KPA/091/2018-19/ADM was for the provision of transport for welfare services for a term of two years which was applied for by Janam Funeral Services.
Tender number KPA/121/2018-19/MKTG requested proposal for development, management and execution of the East Africa Maritime awards, 2019. The companies that showed interest included Think Business Ltd, Sema Ltd, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya.
While tender number KPA/068/2018-19/ICT was for the provision of backup internet capacity link for KPA through alternative internet service provider. Five bidders had competed for the tender and they are Kenya Ltd, Liquid Telecommunications Ltd, Saurus Networks, Frontier Optical Networks Ltd and Seacom Kenya Ltd.
Tender number KPA/065/2018-19/FA was for the provision of financial services for KPA for a period of three years. Twelve banks participated in the tender namely; NIC Bank, Equity Bank, SBM Bank, Eco Bank, Stanbic Bank, Barclays Bank now Absa, Citi Bank, Coop Bank, KCB, Commercial Bank of Africa and National Bank. Surprisingly, KPA cancelled the tender, claiming all the participating banks were no-responsive and could not meet the mandatory requirements.
However, tender number KPA/054/2018-19/TE was to supply, install and commission one twin stinis spreader. The tender was eventually terminated at evaluation stage. Only Mitsui Engineering and Machinery Company Ltd were involved through their local agent Bek Suppliers Ltd. The tender was valued at Sh100 million.
For tender number/KPA/055/2018-19/TE, it was for the supply, installation and commissioning of three twin bromma spreader. The tender value was pegged at Sh100 million. Liebherr Container Cranes applied but were disqualified at evaluation stage as governance popped up.
Then tender number KPA/012/2018-19/MO was designated for the provision of cleaning and landscaping services for special groups. The tender value was Sh50 million and was terminated at award stage.
Yet tender number KPA/ 048/2018-19/PSM was for a framework contract for supply of engineering chemicals. The value of the contract was Sh100 million. The bidders were; engineering Maintenance Products Ltd, Framwaka General Works and Supplies, Sea Shore Agencies and Claruma Investments.
Last, tender number KPA/023/2018-19/PSM was also designated for framework contract for supply of hydraulic hoses and fittings. It was terminated at evaluation stage. The firms that had submitted their bids were Torin Traders Ltd, Tamps Ventures Ltd, Asif Spares and Accessories, Neff Limited and Tradecon (Msa) Ltd.
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