Corporate News
Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) has stretched contracts by another
three months for two of the three firms that inspect vehicle imports.
PHOTO | FILE |
NATION MEDIA GROUP
By BRIAN WASUNA, bwasuna@ke.nationmedia.com
In Summary
- Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Centre (Jevic), which inspects the quality of second hand vehicle imports on behalf of the Kenyan standards body, has filed a petition in which it has asked the High Court to compel Kebs to extend its contract until January 15.
- Kebs left Jevic out of the contract extension but retained two other firms that had been part of the old tender.
- Jevic has provided inspection services for Kebs for the last seven years, and claims that annual audits of its operations have always yielded commendation from Kebs.
A Japanese second hand car inspection firm wants the
Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) compelled to extend its contract until a
tender dispute over the services is resolved.
Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Centre (Jevic), which
inspects the quality of second hand vehicle imports on behalf of the
Kenyan standards body, has filed a petition in which it has asked the
High Court to compel Kebs to extend its contract until January 15.
Jevic moved to court after Kebs opted not to renew its contract.
Kebs had in November last year evaluated interested
bidders for the vehicle inspection role. It informed Jevic in December
that it would not renew the vehicle inspection deal the two had, as
another firm had won the evaluation process.
The Japanese firm applied for a review of the
tendering process after it was informed that another firm had beaten
other interested bidders.
Kebs left Jevic out of the contract extension but retained two other firms that had been part of the old tender.
Jevic now wants to be included in the three month
extension alongside Quality Inspection Services In and Auto Japan
Terminal, as it claims its exclusion from the deal is malicious.
“No reason was proffered by Kebs as to why Jevic
was excluded from providing inspection of motor vehicle services pending
the determination of the review board. Should Jevic not be granted the
extension, it stands to suffer substantial loss,” Jevic said.
The firm adds that it has already leased land
intended for the inspection of vehicles being imported, and it is unable
to renegotiate the terms of the leases, which will deal it a loss.
Kebs is yet to respond to the claims in Jevic’s
suit. Jevic has provided inspection services for Kebs for the last seven
years, and claims that annual audits of its operations have always
yielded commendation from Kebs.
“The conduct of Kebs has been such as to not only
suggest bias against Jevic. The bias against the petitioner has been
evident since August, 2014,” Jevic holds.
The firm was however last year put on the spot
after several imported cars were found to have radioactive material, an
incident that led to a standoff with Kebs over responsibility.
Parliament on that occasion threatened to blacklist Jevic.
The Public Procurement Appeals Committee has twice
postponed delivery of its ruling on the tender review, causing panic
among second hand vehicle importers who feared that further delay could
see their businesses stall.
Kebs had in August last year cancelled Jevic’s contract five months before expiry, but maintained QISJ and ATJ.
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