Three human rights activists want to stop the Sh58 million Bungoma investors' conference scheduled for Wednesday next week. Moses lukoye ,Philip Wekesa and Barasa Nyukuri say the county government did not follow procurement procedures and exaggerated prices for consultancy services.
They have filed a complaint with the Public Procurement Oversight Authority and filed a certificate of urgency at Bungoma High Court to stop the conference.
In the complaint dated April 14, the three asked PPOA director to suspend the event until there is proper design, budgeting and implementation. The three say the tender and procurement process was not open. They want the steering committee disbanded for being discriminative.
The activists want the county secretary and chief finance officer blocked from authorising payments for goods and services procured irregularly for the conference.
Trade chief officer Christine Wasike defended its closed tendering process, saying KNCCI is the only company with affliations beyond Kenya.
She said the Council of Governors signed an agreement which KNCCI which cannot be revoked.
“It is only KNNCI which has global networks, promotes foreign direct investment and joint ventures," a letter written by Wasike to the procurement department dated January 21 read in part.
The Star has learnt that business partners in the steering committee have pulled out in protest.
