M a r k e t N e w s
Kenya: Now Car Importers Join KEBS Motor Tender Row
Posted on : Monday, 19th January 2015
IMPORTERS of used motor vehicles yesterday accused the Kenya Bureau of Standards of "selectively" extending the contract for two pre-shipment inspection companies, leaving out a major player in the sector.The Car Importers Association of Kenya said the decision to extend the contract for Quality Inspection Services Inc, Japan and Auto Terminal Japan, leaving out Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Centre Company Ltd is biased.According to the association, Jevic has for years remained the "most reliable" and "leading" inspector of motor vehicles being imported into Kenya.
On Wednesday, Kebs extended the contract for the two companies by 90 days pending an appeal lodged by Jevic who are contesting being locked out of the main 2015 contract. Last month, Kebs awarded the vehicles pre-shipment contract to QISJ but the matter was taken to the Procurement Appeals Board by Jevic and East Africa Automobile Services.The two firms want the award overturned arguing QISJ did not meet the requirements of the tender. Speaking in Mombasa CIAK Chairman Peter Otieno said Kebs must be transparent in the awarding of pre-shipment inspection contracts.
"We want Kebs to tell us what Jevic has done. We are the stakeholders and we are interested to know but as far as we are concerned as importers, we know Jevic is the most reliable company," said Otieno. He said claims by Kebs ,thatKebs feel that Jevic has done something wrong, let it be investigated. They should come clean on this issue unless they have their own agenda or it is a ploy to leave out Jevic in favor of other companies," said Otieno. The matter comes up for hearing at the Appeals board today.
Source : http://allafrica.com/stories/201501160712.html
