Uproar as Uhuru Appoints Kembi Gitura to Communication Authority Board Amid Multi-Billion-Shilling Scandal at KEMSA
President Kenyatta has appointed former Murang’a Senator Kembi Gitura as the Chairperson of the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) board.
Gitura will serve in the position for a period of three years effective from April 18th, 2021, according to a Gazette Notice dated March 10th.
His appointment to the CA board has led to outrage by many Kenyans on social media, considering that Gitura also chairs the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) board. KEMSA and its senior officials are being investigated over a multi-billion-shilling scandal related to the awarding of irregular contracts.
Investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) revealed that top KEMSA officials flouted procurement procedures in the awarding of big money tenders for the supply of COVID-19 equipment to companies.
It is alleged that individuals pocketed millions of shillings after supplying COVID-19 equipment to Kemsa at inflated prices. For example, Kemsa is said to have procured more than 1.8 million KN95 masks for Sh700 per piece, which is nearly double the Sh450 market price on the higher side.
It also emerged that tenders were awarded to unqualified companies while money was paid to goods and services not delivered.
Appearing before the Senate Health Committee last year, suspended KEMSA CEO Jonah Manjari said he received instructions from Gitura via email, directing him to irregularly award tenders to specific companies. But Gitura told the same committee that the board does not micromanage KEMSA’s operations.
“The board did not authorize the budget passing from Sh4.6 billion to Sh7.1 billion on our end that is clear,” Gitura told MPs.
Comments
It is only in Kenya, only in…
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It is only in Kenya, only in Kenya, where career thieves are rewarded...glorified. The small first time thief, is lynched... on the spot. If you see them walking scot-free, like nothing had ever happened, there is somebody big covering and protecting them. You know why such thieves are recycled by them, wawaibie zaidi. Or what could have been a better reason?
Mtu mwenye tabia za ajabu…
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Mtu mwenye tabia za ajabu kama Ndugu Kembi Gitura hafai kuchaguliwa kwenye kazi kubwa kama hii. Kufanya hivi ni kuonyesha dhahiri utekelezaji wa matunda yasiyofaa ya "BBI!"
Kwa nini watu wengine wa mataifa madogo (micronations) katika nchi ya Kenya hawachaguliwi kusimamia kazi kubwa kama hii?
Nchi ya Kenya, ina mataifa mengine madogo yasiyopungua 60. Ajabu ni kuwa, wengi wanaosimamia kazi kubwa nchi wanatoka kwenye mataifa madogo ya rais na naibu wake!
This is evidence Uhuru is in…
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This is evidence Uhuru is in on theft of Covid money while he is busy pointing fingers at Ruto and his brigade.
Kabisa. How can you appoint…
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Kabisa. How can you appoint someone in a scandal. Look he covered for the lady in the NYS scandal too! This is bad for Kenya!!
Kembi Gitaru is being…
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Kembi Gitaru is being rewarded for stealing the Covid funds.
It’s clear he was stealing on behalf of Uhuru Kenyatta.
@Guesty indeed he will…
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In reply to Kembi Gitaru is being… by Guesty (not verified)
@Guesty indeed he will bringwith a lot of experience in KEMSA to the communication board . BOARDS WHICH ARE UNNECESSARY even after we have been put in receivership the theft continues .SHAME SHAME IN 9 years Uhuru has brought Kenya to its knees !!
Another range target head…
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Another range target head for Simon Muciri to practice with before his major assignment.Uhuru confirmed he is COC(COMMANDER OF CORRUPTION) the day he bribed councilors with shs 2m each to pass BBI.Sasa wacheni Kelele mingi.It’s time to revolt and none of these elite thugs will be given another chance.RISASI TU.
Similar to how Moi used to…
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Similar to how Moi used to reward thieves as they literary razed public institutions financially.
Wacha wakule... We voted…
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Wacha wakule...
We voted them in..
Let's keep on sleeping, hopefully one day, tutaamka.
another ukuyu give me a break
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another ukuyu give me a break
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