EACC summons KEMSA boss Jonah Manjari over Sh 100 Billion theft on donor funding

KEMSA CEO Jonah Manjari. FILE

Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) executives summoned by EACC after recording a statement with DCI. 

The anti-corruption says there is extensive corruption exposing at the medical supplies agency

The move comes out after it emerged that officials dished out tenders to strange entities under the cover of the virus pandemic, putting the lives of ordinary Kenyans at risk.

Theft of donor money meant for drugs has reached record-breaking proportions at the Ministry of Health, as Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has publicly admitted.

KEMSA CEO Jonah Manjari is among those who have already been questioned by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and DCI. 

Two senior directors, including those in charge of procurement and finance, have also been grilled. Several managers are also lined up to record statements this week.

“The exercise started last week and is still ongoing. Each one has been given their time,” EACC spokesman Yassin Amaro.

An internal memo that portrays the highest graft of billions has given a rare peek into the procurement mess at the agency, mistakes that have put at risk over Sh100 billion of donor funds and billions of shillings in taxpayers’ money.

In the memo, Procurement Director Charles Juma raises a storm over Covid-19 purchasing that was messed up by Dr Manjari.

Mr Juma notes that he had scrutinised and analysed various commitment letters issued to suppliers of Covid-19 items and their delivery timelines and in his verdict lays the blame squarely on Dr Manjari’s doorstep.

Mr Juma argues that all purchases must be undertaken within an approved budget in line with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act (PPADA).

He accuses Dr Manjari of issuing commitment letters amounting to Sh7.6 billion against an approved budget of Sh4.6 billion.

He says that this decision alone saw Kemsa exceed its approved budget by Sh3 billion. However, this is not the worst of it.

According to Nation Media Mr Juma has singled out Kilig Ltd, a company registered this year but given a tender to supply Sh4 billion worth of protective kits.

Megascope Healthcare Ltd and Faram East Africa Ltd have received tenders worth half-a-billion shillings.

Whereas close to 15 companies in the framework procurement at Kemsa have received tenders ranging from Sh250,000 to about Sh20 million, Megascope Healthcare has received deals estimated at about Sh193,918,000 while Faram East Africa Ltd is handling supplies for Covid-19 estimated at Sh183,985,400.

Revital Pharmacy (10,962,000), Bio-Zeq Kenya Ltd (16,075,00) and Becton Dickinson International.

Already Sh4 billion which came from donor funding has been embezzled.