Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) is once again in the spotlight following revelations of misconduct and corruption involving its current acting Chief Executive Andrew Mulwa and other senior officials.
According to an exposē by blogger Cyprian Nyakundi on July 8, the latest scandal comes on the heels of an insider’s account that exposed the extent of the malfeasance that has plagued the organization.
An anonymous source recently provided detailed insights into the corruption within KEMSA, specifically targeting Dr. Andrew Mulwa and Dr. Waqo.
KEMSA CEO Andrew Mulwa
The source claims that both individuals are unqualified for their roles and have been involved in various unethical practices.
According to the source, Dr. Mulwa altered the specifications of a tender to favor his associates, leading to the procurement of substandard products.
This action, the source alleges, disregarded WHO standards and specifications, endangering public health.
Dr. Waqo, the source continues, has a history of siphoning funds, particularly from the Global Fund during his tenure as the head of the Malaria Control Program.
He was reportedly bribed to facilitate these financial misappropriations.
The insider suggests that this pattern of corruption began under the leadership of Dr. Munyu who successfully ran KEMSA before the organization’s governance was compromised by political interference.
Andrew Mulwa during a past event
These allegations were echoed during a recent Senate Health Committee hearing, where Dr. Andrew Mulwa admitted to changing the specifications for a Ksh 3.7 billion mosquito nets supply tender.
As reported by a local media outlet on June 21, 2023, Dr. Mulwa revealed that he advised the Head of the Division of National Malaria Programme to draft a memo to include PBO (piperonyl butoxide) specifications which were absent from the original tender.
The tender, initially advertised on January 31, 2023, did not meet the Global Fund’s criteria due to these last-minute changes.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha confirmed that the extension and modification were executed upon instructions from Dr. Josephine Mburu, then the Principal Secretary of the State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards.
Senate Health Committee members, including Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge and Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino, criticized Dr. Mulwa for his role in the botched tender.
They accused him of causing the government to lose the contract and compromising the nation’s integrity. Kisumu Central MP Dr. Oron Joshua Odongo expressed concerns over Dr. Mulwa’s current leadership at KEMSA given his involvement in the scandal.
The insider’s account also draws a comparison between KEMSA and the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDs) exposing stark differences in management and operational efficiency.
MEDs has maintained a reputation for integrity and effectiveness, while KEMSA has been embroiled in scandals, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when former CEO Terry Ramadhani, a HR professional with no medical background, was implicated in procurement controversies.
The manipulation of the KEMSA Act by the previous administration, which allowed political appointees to take over key positions, has been an major factor in the organization’s decline.
The Senate Health Committee continues its investigations.
