Charles Chege, the director of Testimony Enterprises, admitted to submitting forged documents to secure a Sh588 million road tender awarded by Kiambu County. This revelation came during a court hearing on Monday, where Chege faced accusations of graft linked to the tender, which was meant for upgrading various gravel roads in the region.
The tender, issued on February 12, 2018, was awarded to Testimony Enterprises for the construction and upgrade of roads across Thika, Limuru, Gatundu North, Juja, and Ruiru subcounties. The amount quoted was Sh588 million, a significant sum intended to enhance infrastructure in the area during the financial year 2017-2018.
During the court proceedings, Chege was confronted with evidence from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) that indicated the submission of forged academic certificates and documents. These documents were purportedly used to demonstrate the company’s capability to undertake the project and to prove partnerships with other firms, including a Chinese construction company.
Chege, who is defending himself against the graft charges, could not provide substantial counter-evidence to refute the claims made by the EACC. The court heard that Chege had attached various documents to his bid papers to meet the tender requirements, including certificates of technical staff and partnership agreements. However, these documents were flagged as forgeries by the EACC.
The prosecution presented documents from two local universities confirming that the academic certificates used by Testimony were indeed fraudulent. The forgeries were discovered through official verification processes, with letters from institutions such as JKUAT highlighting discrepancies in the certificates provided.
Chege admitted that the forged documents were used in the bid but claimed that he had won the tender, completed the work, and received payment for the services rendered. He argued that the tender was awarded based on the documents submitted, and he questioned the basis for the current accusations against him.
The trial has also seen testimonies from an investigating officer who provided evidence suggesting that the award of the tender to Testimony Enterprises was irregular. The officer detailed the forged academic certificates and the false documentation purportedly showing a subcontract with a Chinese firm, which was later found to be inauthentic.
Chege’s defense argued for his acquittal, stating that the company had fulfilled its contractual obligations and that there were pending payments from the county amounting to Sh170 million. Chege mentioned that he had learned about the tender through a worker in 2018 and had proceeded to bid, secure the contract, and complete the work as per the agreement.
The case is being closely watched, with former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and his wife, Susan Wangari, also charged in connection with the case. Both are facing accusations related to the mismanagement of the tendering process.
As the court proceedings continue, Chege and the other accused will need to navigate the legal challenges posed by the allegations of corruption and forgery. The next hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, where further evidence and testimonies will be presented to determine the outcome of the case.
This high-profile case underscores ongoing concerns about corruption and integrity in public procurement processes, with significant implications for governance and accountability in Kenya.
