Kenya lost Ksh.2.3B in KEMSA procurement scandal- Auditor General Gathungu says

The Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) procurement scandal saw Kenya lose Ksh.2.3M,  a report by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has said.

The report  tabled to the Senate on Wednesday shed light on how KEMSA violated several laws, leading to the staggering losses

The reports notes that for instance, some of the companies that were awarded multimillion tenders had only been around for a few months.

This indicated a possible collusion between these companies and KEMSA’s top brass who have been fingered in the ongoing probe.

The Senate heard that companies that had been around for less than year were awarded contracts without having the necessary qualifications to supply medical equipment.

In recommendations to the Senate, the office of the Auditor General calls government agencies to conduct probe to establish criminality in the procurement process and collusion between the management and companies awarded the contracts.

The same report also wants KEMSA to withhold any further processing of COVID-19 related claims until an independent audit is done.

The latest comes just a day after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) said they would name those fingered in the scandal on Wednesday.