EACC dares ‘sacred cows’ in Kemsa probe

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has said that it will not leave out any ‘sacred cow’ from the ongoing investigations into the mismanagement of Covid-19 donations at Kemsa.

EACC released a statement on Monday saying that Kenya Medical Supplies Agency staffers have been suspended by the board to pave way for further investigations over irregularities and flouting of procurement regulations.

Kemsa CEO Jonah Mwangi, Charles Juma (head of procurement) and Eliud Mureithi (commercial director) have already been suspended.

EACC refuted claims that they were alerted by media reports saying that their officers began probing the matter prior to the media highlights.

“We wish to reassure the public that the investigations are already going on to verify these allegations with a view of taking appropriate actions against public officers who may be involved in accordance with the law,” The commission’s statement reads in part.

Suspended Kemsa C.E.O Jonah Manjari. [p/courtesy]

Kemsa is on the spotlight after it was established that it’s officials dished out tenders to mysterious entities under the cover of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This after an audit report exposed procurement and financial irregularities that put at risk more than Sh100 billion of taxpayers’ money and donor funds.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe appeared before the National Assembly Health committee to answer to queries on the expenditure of Covid-19 funds where he dismissed that Covid-19 funds have been mismanaged.

The CS appeared before the committee on monday where he added that it was prudent to wait for the ongoing probe by the EACC to be concluded to find out what really happened at Kemsa.