President Kenyatta orders health ministry to publish virus deals amid graft scandal

Following allegations government officials stole millions of dollars of vital medical supplies, President Uhuru Kenyatta on August 31 has ordered Kenya's health ministry to publish details of all purchases made during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a news report by Today.

The directive applies particularly to tenders issued by the state-run Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA), at the center of a growing scandal that has prompted strikes at ill-equipped hospitals and street protests.

KEMSA is under fire over allegations government officials and businessmen pilfered USD 400 million in public money earmarked for medical equipment needed in the fight against coronavirus.

Kenyatta last week instructed the anti-corruption commission to expedite its investigation into KEMSA, which is responsible for supplying Kenya's overwhelmed hospitals treating coronavirus patients. KEMSA's CEO and other top officials have been stood down.

Kenyatta also said the health ministry had 30 days to develop a transparent system so that KEMSA's procurement processes could be published online.

"This level of transparency and through the use of technology will go a very long way in ensuring that we have the confidence of our people that those placed in institutions are able to manage the resources of the Kenyan taxpayer plus our development partners in an open and transparent manner," the president said in a statement.