Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho and Inspector General Hillary Mutyambai were grilled over a suspicious increase in the price of helicopters which were bought in 2018 but unable to fly.
The 2017/18 audit report indicated that the choppers were acquired at a cost of Ksh4 billion.
A report published by The Standard on Wednesday, February 19, stated that the ministry, under CS Fred Matiang'i, increased the cost of the three helicopters by Ksh 906,100, 927.
Kibicho and Mutyambai appeared before the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC), where they explained the additional spending, arguing that the extra amount was spent on upgrading the helicopters.
The PS informed the legislators that the disparity was occasioned by errors made during the tendering process.
According to him, the ministry had realised the aircraft required the upgrades after the purchase as they had not been listed in the initial tender documents.
"It is important to note that although the final cost of the helicopters went up, from the additional equipment that enhanced safety and airworthiness of the helicopters, the taxpayer received value for money," Kibicho defended.
Among the upgrades listed were weather radar, enhanced ground proximity, additional flight display, and advanced cameras.
"Who are these people who allowed those kinds of embarrassing errors? That shows some level of sloppiness and it embarrasses the entire country," Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu informed the PS.
"It could be an error, but the point is, for any modification of the tender document, there is a law to be followed," Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang countered.
On June 29, 2018, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i launched the three brand new police helicopters, two AW139s and one A12 at Wilson Airport which were expected to help curb crime.
