The blacklisting of 350 contractors linked to fraudulent dealings at Kenya Power #ticker:KPLC is laudable. But it is only a first step and not enough by itself. Kenyans expect the utility firm to do more, including allowing thorough investigations to expose the shady dealings that these companies have been involved in.
The investigations should also lead to prosecution of suspects.
It is puzzling that Kenya Power managing director reckons that no money was lost, even as the internal audit report shows irregularities in the way the tenders were awarded and processed. But the fact that tenders were awarded to questionable companies – some linked to Kenya Power employees or their relatives – is telling.
It is only at the conclusion of an independent investigation that there can be certainty on whether money was lost or not. What has already been revealed from the audit is clearly a smoking gun and the rot could be deeper. Notably, this audit came after public pressure. It is only prudent that the pressure be sustained to the very end. After all, it is the ordinary taxpayers who bear the greater burden of losses arising from any corrupt dealings.
It is not therefore enough to just assume that no money has been lost. Besides, the companies and the people involved in the irregular dealings must be exposed. Ultimately, it makes little sense to just announce a blacklist of companies that are complicit without exposing them to the public.
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