Director General Rashid Mohamed
There is a public outcry after the controversial Kenya Roads Board (KRB) Director General Rashid Mohamed and Vickers Security Services allegedly used tricks to secure a lucrative security contract controversially.
The said fraud revolves around the controversial Lavington Security Limited to challenge the award of the tender, throwing the board’s operations into confusion and uncertainty.
According to the sources, As tensions rise, the implications reach beyond the boardroom, affecting Kenya’s public tendering process. Everyone is watching closely as this saga unfolds, seeking answers to how corruption can infiltrate essential public services.
Rashid’s Shadowy Deals: The Somali Cartel Connection in a Tender Scandal
Rashid Mohamed, the Director General of the Kenya Roads Board (KRB), seems to have played a crucial role in the tender for private security services. This contract involves security for KRB headquarters and regional offices for 12 months, with a possible one-year extension based on performance. Lavington Security Limited has filed a review of this tender with the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB). They accuse KRB of misconduct. The board must scrutinize the dealings of Rashid and Vickers Security to ensure fairness in the procurement process.
Tenders and Scandals
The tender, numbered KRB/T/12/2023-2024, had a deadline for applications on June 14, 2024. Several firms competed for the contract, including Vickers Security, Lavington Security, and Hounslow Security. Vickers emerged as the lowest bidder, claiming to pay its guards Sh45,000 per month, well above the minimum wage set by the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA).
However, Lavington Security contends that Vickers’ financial proposal is unrealistic and unsustainable. They argue that Vickers’ bid is a strategic ploy to undercut competitors, secure the contract, and later compromise on service quality or seek contract variations to cover unforeseen costs. This tactic, if true, undermines the integrity of the public procurement process and raises concerns about the effective use of public funds.
The Somali Cartel’s Influence
Insiders allege that Rashid Mohamed’s actions are influenced by a powerful Somali cartel operating within Kenya’s public sector. This group is said to manipulate tender processes to favor companies linked to their network, thereby consolidating control over lucrative government contracts. The alleged collusion between Rashid and Vickers Security is viewed as a manifestation of this cartel’s pervasive influence.
This situation has led to a lack of confidence in KRB’s leadership and the broader public procurement system. Stakeholders are calling for thorough investigations to uncover the extent of the cartel’s reach and to implement measures that ensure transparency and fairness in future tendering processes.
The controversy surrounding the KRB tender highlights significant vulnerabilities in Kenya’s public procurement framework. It underscores the need for robust oversight mechanisms to detect and prevent collusion, favoritism, and other forms of malpractice that compromise the delivery of public services.
As the PPARB reviews the tender award, there is an opportunity to reinforce the principles of fairness and competitiveness that are essential for public trust. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future and may prompt reforms aimed at safeguarding the integrity of Kenya’s public procurement system.
Sources intimate that KRB’s Director General and Vickers Security Services serves have been employing corrupt and dubious means to keep their deals through