Sonko Accuses His Predecessor Evans Kidero of Stealing Sh270 Million Meant for Hospitals Upgrade

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has accused his predecessor Evans Kidero of stealing Sh270 million set aside for upgrade of two hospitals in the city.

This comes after former Nairobi deputy governor Jonathan Mueke claimed that plans for upgrade of Pumwani Maternity Hospital began during Kidero's regime but stalled after the National Treasury and the Public Private partnership secretariat declined to approve the project.

On the contrary, Sonko said the hospital's upgrade was cancelled by Indian investors after they were asked to give a bribe of Sh350 million before the project could commence.

He further explained that in the same year, the national government released Sh212 million to Nairobi county;Besth103 million for completion of the stalled 74 bed block at Mama Lucy Hospital and the remaining Sh109 million for upgrade of Pumwani Maternity Hospital.

“The same year Treasury released Sh212 million as part of the health budget allocation. The money was wired to Nairobi city county COOP BANK A/C NO. 01141232396601. Out of this amount Sh103 million was to cater for the completion of the stalled 74 bed multi storeyed block at mama Lucy hospital while Sh109 was for commencement of Pumwani maternity hospital upgrade."

"The Sh109 million for Pumwani maternity hospital upgrade was transferred from Nairobi City County Coop Bank A/C NO. 01141232396601 to Gurumani Traders Ltd (Directors George Wainaina Njogu and his brother John Njogu) Coop Bank A/C NO. 01148230208500. From here the money was later transferred to Sagar Builders Ltd A/C. No. 95860400000034 Bank of Baroda. As per the records at the County’s planning office Sagar builders are the contractors who built Gem Suites Apartments at Riverside owned by my predecessor,” Sonko clarified through his Facebook page.

He further alleged that a further Sh58 million was transferred from an account belonging to Nairobi county to Kidero’s personal account held in Family Bank through a lawyer’s account.

On Friday, Sonko announced he had struck a new partnership deal with Agha Khan University Hospital and Nairobi West Hospital to transform Pumwani Maternity Hospital. He also said the facility would be renamed Sonko Pumwani Women’s Hospital & College of Nursing & Midwifery.