This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's decision to award a tender for 500 hospital beds to a group of artisans in Githunguri, Kiambu county, has left many Kenyans surprised and questioning the fairness of the process.
Meshack Otieno, a Juja-based artisan who had gone viral for his unique locally assembled hospital beds, was not aware that the president had given out the tender to a different group of innovators.
When contacted by our team for comment, Otieno thought TUKO.co.ke was the one ordering for 500 beds from him and had no idea the president had given out the tender to a different group of innovators.
He stated that he has never seen or met the other youths who were given the tender and that his workshop is in Juja and not in Githunguri.
Meshack Otieno with his three artisans at their workplace on Wednesday, July 15. Photo: TUKO.co.ke
While commending the government for the bold move, Meshack said his only plea was that he too be given an order to deliver the beds or at least the tender be divided between him and the Githunguri group.
"I am actually the one who went viral on social media, I am the one who took video of one of my guys eating on one of the beds illustrating how it works, I too should be considered and be given an order," he said.
"Even if it means we divide the order, it's okay, at least we all shall have received something out of it," he added.
