Ministry of Health MOH instructed all the rot that happened at the Kenya Medical Supplies Ministry KEMSA. Details have emerged.
Pouring his heart out during a heated grilling session at parliament yesterday Thursday August 27th, KEMSA Board Chairman Kembi Gitura, without mincing words, said it was after receiving a letter from the ministry that informed any purchase that took place at KEMSA.
Gitura further mentioned before the Committee that they took express orders from the ministry before allowing any supplies into their organisation. He confirmed receiving a letter dated 15 from PS Susan Mochache who directed on what was to be done with regard to purchasing of Covid-19 materials.
He detailed that it was the ministry that informed all the decisions made at KEMSA and blaming them would not help unearth the rot at KEMSA.
“We received a letter from the Ministry of Health containing a list of where we should procure from, the prices and the quantity. I can vouch on the quality of PPEs we procured,” he stated before the Sabina Chege led committee.
He intimated further that the said letter was addressed to the now suspended CEO Jonah Manjari who he said was being crucified for sins committed by someone else.
“This is to approve the procurement of goods worth Ksh758, 690,583 as outlined in the annex. Disregard all other requests made in relation to Covid-19 as they have been captured under this approval,” the letter in question read in part.
KEMSA acting Procurement Officer Edward Buluma who also was summoned before the Committee observed that the letter from the ministry was unprocedural.
In conclusion, Cherangany Lawmaker Joshua Kutuny who was among the panelists, noted that the Ministry was squarely to blame on this.
They have since made their recommendations to the investigating agencies with an intention of finding more details before taking action against those who will be found to have participated in the scandal.
