KICC asks court to stop property auction in Sh716 million unpaid bills row

david nganga

July 26, 2018 7:07 PM

Companies are seeking payments for services provided during the WTO Ministerial conference in 2015.

The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) has moved to court seeking to stop the auctioning of its properties over Sh716 million worth of unpaid bills.

The companies are seeking payments for services provided during the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial conference in 2015.

KICC CEO Nana Gecaga in an affidavit, however, claimed that the procurement procedure was dubious and therefore wants court protection as the bills are verified.

“I am apprehesince that by attaching the corporation property or exposing its inability to meet its world trade organisation ministerial conference has the potential effect of bringing its functions to a standstill or throwing into disarray its (KICC) functioning. contrary to public interests and policy,” she said.

Ms Gecaga argues that there were changes in the management of the KICC which called for fresh audit of the bills.

Severe harm

She also noted that some claimants have threatened to malign KICC's name in the local dailies with a view to coerce the corporation into paying the bills before verification is complete.

At least 28 entities are demanding payments from KICC totalling Sh716 million, including a Sh80 million by the Kenya Revenue Authority.

The KICC chief executive says the corporation will suffer severe harm and business loss should its property be attached or the exposure allowed to continue.

The Auditor-General and the Attorney-General have been listed as interested parties.

david nganga