USAID, Global Fund Threaten to Cancel Sh400 Billion Support to Kenya over Covid-19 Funds Scandal
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Global Fund have raised concerns over the alleged misappropriation of Covid-19 funds donated to Kenya.
The two donors have threatened to withdraw at least Sh400 billion meant to support HIV/Aids, tuberculosis, and malaria programs in Kenya for the next three years over the alleged Sh7 billion scandal at Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa), according to reports.
They have written to the government expressing concerns over irregular procurements at Kemsa and the implementation of the grants given to the State agency.
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 to a company named Kilig Limited.
The company was awarded the contract under the cover of emergency needs and was 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.
Last week, Kemsa CEO Jonah Mwangi was suspended by the agency's Board to pave the way for investigations into the matter.
Mwangi was suspended alongside two other senior Kemsa officials; Charles Juma (Head of Procurement) and Eliud Mureithi (Commercial Director).
Comments (15)
Kenya is house of cards....will sooner overcome Nigeria in corruption scandals
Not really.
It’s the same thieves who have been stealing since 1963.
Now there children are stealing public funds.
I agree ... let name them ... kenyatta family, Moi BIG TIME yaani that man ate everything from daily farm to meat factory... Moi, Moi... yaani he left kenya on its knees. Haya luhya joined in, the Wakhungu family, I think Baba is clean but he get corrupt money BUT baba is very clean... for real jokes aside. Who else... they say Ruto Wainguru, Gichuru kenya power, ngai mwathani ... kikuyu are many but l have never benefitted from their stealing so l careless and all need to go to jail. Now Covid money we have attacked it too haiyaaiii jesus help our country.
Baba is Clean; I agree.
This is a national disgrace. The level of official corruption in Kenya is nothing short of a contagious disease which needs to be eradicated. Shame on this government which pay lip service to the deep rooted corruption. The country is really sick as far as corruption is concern. It takes foreign entities to call it like it is. The current government is not capable of fighting corruption since they are all deep in it. Shame, shame, shame.
Why threaten Kenya? Just stop giving any black nation aid. It is not necessary. Necessity is the mother of invention. When you give any black nation aid you disable it by not allowing it to think for itself. Sometimes there is nothing as bad as good intentions. It's time for black nation to step away from you and stand up for itself. Please don't threaten, just stop. The best way to help the black nation at this time is to leave us alone!!!
I agree.
Kenyans we are very greedy we to see future happenings few individuals want to be come millionaire over night mlaniwe kabisa
Amen!!!🙏
STOP ALL AID! We need to learn to be self sufficient by utilizing our diverse resources! Uwezo will never end if you don’t STOP!! Wajinga sisi!
Oh yes!
We want secession.
Wow... wow... cancel... you ought to have read about kenya and the thugs we have in government. It like they do not know... kimorelll damn, NYS, Goldberg etc etc... only a fool gives kenya hard cash to manage it... that why chinese come with their own money and their own people.
Stop all aid-even Covid-19 aid to Kenya. Stop it now!!
Stop all Aids; this way the Fat cats will learn the meaning of Integrity.