Commission Begins Audit of Centralized Procurement of ICT Equipment and Services by Ministry of ICT
23.05.2019 -The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has commenced the examination into the systems, policies, procedures and practices of Centralized Procurement of ICT Equipment and Services by the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology.
During the launch at the Ministry of ICT Headquarters in Teleposta Towers, on May 17th 2019, the CEO of EACC Mr. Twalib Mbarak said that the launch of the examination was necessary given that the centralized procurement system has implications on the service delivery at the National Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Mr. Mbarak said there is need for appropriate management of the procurement process by the Ministry of ICT because the Centralized procurement adopted by the government is a strategy that comes about with a high volume of expenditure and increased competition from suppliers who may want to benefit from the ICT contracts.
He added that there is need for the Ministry as the leader in the ICT sector, to demonstrate good governance, integrity, transparency and accountability in the procurement processes. This calls for development of robust systems and procedures of work that promote efficiency and effective service delivery, and that leaves no room for unethical conduct, Mr Mbarak, said.
The Principal Secretary for Ministry of ICT, Mr Jerome Ochieng, welcomed the decision by the Commission to audit the procurement processes of his Ministry. He assured the Commission that the Ministry would support the exercise to ensure that the whole process is a success.
This examination exercise is in fulfilment of the Commission’s preventive mandate as stipulated under section 11 (1) (g) and (i) of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2011 which provide that: On its own initiative, the commission may advise any person on any matter within its functions; and subject to Article 31 of the Constitution, monitor the practices and procedures of public bodies to detect corrupt practices and to secure the revision of methods of work or procedures that may be conducive to corrupt practices.
