The Crops Department in the Ministry of Agriculture irregularly hired helicopters on two separate contracts for Sh252 million, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has said. The Civil Aviation (Licensing of Air Services) Regulations, 2018, prohibit the provision of air services by any person that is not licensed by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. In the second contract, the department spent Sh149.7 million World Bank cash for the hire of copter services from two firms appointed through direct procurement. The procurement was found to be contrary to the World Bank Procurement Guidelines and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015. Further, there was no evidence on record to confirm that the supplier confirmed in writing the receipt of the purchase order issued by the department, Gathungu said.

Source: The Star June 28, 2021 20:03 UTC