THE Agricultural Society of Kenya is on the spot over the leasing out of hundreds of acres to a private company.
According to one of the complainants, the company has allegedly not only acquired rights to lease ASK's land in Nairobi but also in Mombasa. The source, who requested not to be named, said the procurement was skewed in favour of a company identified as Farmers Trust.
He said no proper procurement was done but
CEO Batram Muthoka placed an advertisement in a local daily asking for expression of interest. The process thereafter allegedly went quiet until employees and other concerned persons were informed that Farmers Trust had won the tender.
The Star tried in vain to get a comment from Muthoka concerning the company and the procurement.
The ASK has about 15 branches across the country, mostly at former provincial headquarters. But some of the branches no longer hold the annual shows for lack of funds. The Nairobi International Trade Fair contributes the largest revenue to the society. The society works in partnership with stakeholders in organising and staging agricultural exhibitions and trade fairs to promote excellence in agriculture, allied industries and trade.
The company allegedly acquired the parcels for building hotels and malls but nothing has happened since 2012 when the tender was awarded. The CEO has allegedly been assuring them that the land is being developed. Although there are claims that the company belongs to "international investors", the source said it could be registered in Kenya, owned by senior society officials and run by proxies.
A few years ago, an internal auditor raised questions concerning procurement of some items by the society. The auditor noted malpractices such as over requisition of items, over expenditure, duplication of items and delayed deliveries. In answer to the audit queries, the branch accountant acknowledged that they were receiving instructions from senior staff instead of head of departments.
