DP Ruto Brands ODM 'Lords of Corruption' over Covid-19 Funds Scandal

Deputy President William Ruto has slammed the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), accusing the party of defending the alleged embezzlement of Covid-19 funds. 

Ruto through Twitter on Sunday claimed the Raila Odinga-led political outfit and its members had turned into “lords of corruption.”

“The pretentious (former) Opposition, now turned Lords of corruption, attempted defense of the Covid-19 grand larceny is NOT shocking,” Ruto tweeted.

He added: “It confirms the worst of Kenyans’ fears that their side of handshake was never interested in the people’s good but opportunity to loot. What a shame.”

Ruto’s comments came a day after ODM through its secretary-general Edwin Sifuna appeared to downplay claims of irregular procurement of Covid-19 equipment at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa), accusing the press of sensationalizing the matter. 

But in a quick rejoinder, Sifuna dismissed Ruto’s claims, saying: “We asked for an Audit. In which language is that a defense of theft? It is the hope of the actual thieves to disappear in the fog of the manufactured “outrage”. The worst of Kenyans fear is you being in charge for we will lack words to describe the plunder that will ensue.”

Initial investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) revealed that top Kemsa officials flouted procurement procedures in the award of the multi-billion-shilling tender for supply of Covid-19 equipment.

It is alleged that some companies were awarded the contracts under the cover of emergency needs and were given three months to supply as opposed to one month. Further, companies with less than six months in operation won tenders without providing credible financial records.

These companies supplied the Covid-19 equipment at inflated prices. For example, Kemsa is said to have procured more than 1.8 million KN95 masks at a cost of Sh700 per piece, which is nearly double the Sh450 market price on the higher side.

Disposable three-ply surgical masks were allegedly procured at Sh90 per piece against the market price of Sh50 while personal protective equipment (PPE) was acquired at Sh9,000 per set as opposed to Sh4,500 on the market.