The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has launched investigations into Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala over irregular awarding of a Ksh100 million tender.
Detectives conducted dawn raids last Monday in Balala’s office and his homes in Nairobi, Vipingo, Kilifi and Mombasa.
According to The Standard, they recovered crucial documents to help with the probe.
It is alleged that the CS awarded Ksh100 million contract to a local company to provide unspecified services during expos held in Nairobi two years ago.
Sleuths claimed the company is a conduit for state officers to siphon public funds.
The firm was contracted during 2016/2017 financial year to offer services during tourism exhibitions held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC).
Investigators indicated that neither was the company among those prequalified during the contract period nor did the department have a budget for the year.
“The ministry has not been able to show us which type of services were offered or provide documents on how the payments were done,” a source privy to the investigation intimated.
On Wednesday, the anti-graft body wrote to Balala directing him to avail himself at Integrity Centre to record a statement.
The letter signed by EACC Director of Investigations Abdi Mohamud directed the CS to appear before detectives on Monday.
Commenting on the matter, the CS denied the reports maintaining that no raids were conducted at his premises.
"No raids have taken place at my house as claimed by The Standard Newspaper today, the journalist was aware prior to publishing the report of the same. My legal team is handling the matter.
"EACC inquiry on the American Society of Travel Agents Expo that took place at KICC in Feb 2017 organised by ASTA - Kenya chapter has been an ongoing process which the Ministry of Tourism has fully cooperated since the start of the inquiry," he tweeted.
However, EACC later summoned the CS regarding the Ksh100 million tender.
