NAIROBI, Kenya, May 15 — Mutava Mulwa has been named as the acting CEO of Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) in changes sanctioned by President William Ruto.
Mulwa’s designation on Monday followed Terry Ramadhani’s suspension by Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha over graft allegations in donor-funded Malaria National Programme.
Nakhumicha also suspended three other staffers.
The suspension comes after the Global Fund cancelled KEMSA’s procurement process, which appeared to favour a bidder who did not meet the mandatory requirements.
The tender, worth Sh3.7 billion, was to supply both polyethylene and polyester nets, treated with chemicals to ward off mosquitoes for an extended period.
Global Fund documents indicate that the only firm that met all requirements under both Kenyan and Global Fund procurement laws and guidelines, China’s Tianjin Yorkool, was unfairly knocked out of the tender evaluation.
Nakhumicha also suspended five MoH officials serving under National Malaria Programme.
Those suspended are: Martin Wamwea (MoH), Lenson Kariuki (MoH), Dr. Pauline Duya (MoH), Livingstone Njuguna (MoH), Dr. Charles Kariuki Chege (MoH), Justus Kinoti (KEMSA), Cosmas Rotich (KEMSA) and Anthony Chege (KEMSA).
KEMSA is facing accusations of mismanaging the administration of various medical programmes being undertaken by Kenya in conjunction with its development partners.
“THE COMPLAINTS FOLLOW the regular verification of expenditure by the Global Fund with regard to the National Malaria Programme that targets millions of low income Kenyan households within our nation’s malaria endemic regions,” Felix Koskei, Head of the Public Service, said.
Koskei, who doubles up as Ruto’s Chief of Staff, further stated that the alleged maladministration on the part of KEMSA is with regard to the procurement of treated mosquito nets for those vulnerable households, which he said could have led to significant exposure to the disease and increase in its severity in the endemic regions.
Anti-graft efforts
He pointed out that the move is an affirmation of President Ruto’s commitment to “entrenching of good governance within our national life by promoting accountability and openness in the management of public affairs.”
The Head of Public Service pointed out that President Ruto’s government is committed to heralding a new era in the management of the country’s healthcare by ensuring that no Kenyan will be denied the dignity of affordable medical care due to corruption.
He maintained that the government will do whatever it takes to ensure accountability in the country’s health sector.
“Therefore, in keeping with the Administration’s Health policy of “leaving no one behind”, the Administration will spare no effort in rebuilding the KEMSA supply chain management system so as to secure efficiency and accountability in the provision of medical supplies to all health facilities across our nation,” he said.
Ruto also revoked the appointments of the Chairperson and Members of the Board of Directors of KEMSA and appointed Irungu Nyakera as the Chairperson of the Board in accordance with the procedure set out under Section 5 (1) (a) of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority Act.
The move comes a day after President Ruto vowed to “clean up” KEMSA.
“Watch this space. I am doing something about it. I don’t want to speak about it now, but you will see results,” Ruto said Sunday in reference to the KEMSA scandal.
