Millions of Kenyans are at risk of contracting Malaria after another scandal unfolded at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA). The institution is intertwined in a multi-billion shilling scandal that made the Geneva-based Global Fund cancel mosquito nets tender procurement.
This is after concerns that a Chinese firm, Tianjin Yorkool had met all the tender requirements but was unfairly knocked out.
The Global Fund demanded the government to take action over the Ksh 3.7 billion tender given to KEMSA. The institution procurement process is said to have been flawed by favoring a bidder who did not meet the specified requirements at the expense of a mosquito net manufacturer.
Since then, the Global Fund stated that the nets will not be distributed in time raising fears that millions of low-income families could contract Malaria.
KEMSA Board Members Clean Up
The treated mosquito nets were intended to be distributed to low-income families in 23 counties by November 2023. After demands from the Global Fund to see the case resolved, the State House released a dispatch.
“The President has revoked the appointments of the chairperson and members of the board of directors of Kenya Medical Supplies Authority and suspended Terry Ramadhani, the Chief Executive Officer, and other concerned staff serving within the Ministry of Health.”
This also comes after President William Ruto at the second media roundtable promised to clean up KEMSA amid scandals from Covid-19 to misappropriation of funds.
“I want to give you my commitment that we will clean up KEMSA. Whatever it takes.”
New KEMSA Board Members
The cleaning of KEMSA has seen the President send the entire board home as well as the Public Health Principal Secretary Dr. Josephine Mburu. They were replaced by Dr. Andrew Mulwa, the head of preventive health at the Health Ministry who will be the new acting CEO.
Source: (@andrewmulwa) / Twitter
Former Housing Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera was appointed as the new board chair.
Other new members appointed to the KEMSA board include Bernard Bett, Dr. Jane Masiga, Hezbon Omollo, and Jane Mbatia.
What Caused PS Josephine Mburu Downfall?
According to reports, Dr. Mburu wrote a letter to KEMSA requesting the agency to correct the nets specifications that were procured in the KSH. 3.7 billion tender. This was in line with a specification list designed by the ministry. Suspended KEMSA boss Terry Ramadhani replied to the letter to Dr. Mburu stating that the agency will make changes as proposed.
“In view of this and in order to rectify the error that has been identified before the closure of the tender scheduled for February 23, we have extended the tender closing date by another 14 days.”
Since the procurement was supported by the Global Fund, KEMSA wrote a letter to inform them of the foreseen delays in tendering the nets as they fix the issue highlighted by the then Permanent Secretary letter.
When this came through Simon Kibia, the Global Fund country coordinator, he opposed the changes stating that the net specifications had no issue and were correct. It was also noted that the net specification by the PS was reviewed and removed from the tender documents. As a result, Simon Kibia requested the medical procurement agency to continue with the tender.
“The LLINs being procured by GF grant are pyrethroid LLINs and not the PBO LLINs, therefore the requirement Number 2 Synergist piperonyl-Butoxide (PBO) LLINs should not be included in the tender document as part of the technical specifications.”
Terry Ramadhani Tender Claim
As the Global Fund letter was sent back to KEMSA, they realized that the institution had already readvertised the tender hence raising suspicion of something going on. The donor dismissed companies highlighted as award winners which include Shobikaa Impex and Partec East Africa Limited. Additionally, Shobikaa was not found in the registrar of companies database.
Terry Ramadhani defended her position saying it was an international company in India and the tender was internationally open.
“The product is what is registered in PPB in Kenya. So of course you are not going to find it”
The Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha told the media that the President sacked the PS due to accountability. Investigations are, however, still ongoing to know Dr. Josephine Mburu’s wrongdoing in the scandal.
Dr. Mburu becomes the first PS to be sacked in the Kenya Kwanza administration after serving for 163 days.
EACC Ongoing Investigations
On Monday, detectives from The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) acquired documents and evidentiary materials from the KEMSA offices to aid in their investigations.
“Yes, it is true that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), today, launched investigations into allegations of irregular award of Tender No. GF ATM MAL NFM 2022/2023 OIT-02 for the supply of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINS) by the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA).”
When collecting documents and evidence at KEMSA, the anti-graft body reminded the public officials that they should always protect public interests and respect the laws governing the management of public affairs.
“The Commission reminds all Accounting Officers and other public officials that by virtue of their offices, they remain public trustees who should always protect the public interest and comply with the laws governing the management of public affairs, including the resources entrusted under their care and control,”
The EACC has yet to give out its findings since Monday.
Will the latest KEMSA sanitization finally solve corruption issues at the agency? Let us know in the comments and keep it C.O.K as we update you on the latest as happens.
