The Ministry of Health has given the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) a green light to start releasing Personal Protective Equipment from their warehouses.
Appearing before the Senate’s Health Committee on Wednesday, the ministry’s Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Dr Mercy Mwangangi told the Senators that the exercise will begin this Friday.
According to CAS Mercy Mwangangi, there was a delay because of procedures that had to be followed to allow the release of the protective gear.
Speaking during a meeting with the Senate Health Committee on Wednesday, Dr. Mercy Mwangangi said the authority will be informed of the decision to have the PPEs sold at an affordable price.
A section of the senators has expressed dissatisfaction on the delayed process of releasing the PPEs despite urgent need of the protective gear as Covid-19 continues to ravage the country.
KEMSA is being probed by the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) and accused of having procured PPEs at a double market price leading to a loss of sh 2.3 billion.
KEMSA procured items worth sh7.8 billion against the agreed budget of sh 750 million.
The report tabled at the Senate by the Auditor General Nancy Gathungu shed light on how KEMSA violated several laws, leading to the staggering losses.
KEMSA Chief Executive Officer Jonah Mwangi Manjari, Head of Procurement Charles Juma and Commercial Director Eliud Mureithi were suspended in August to pave way for a probe into the scandal.
By Christabel Airo
