This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
On Thursday, Raila Odinga's aide Silas Jakakimba made a surprising announcement on social media, revealing that the government has been instructed to procure beds from Meshak Otieno of Juja.
According to Jakakimba, he had spoken with State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita and Presidential Delivery Unit Secretary Andrew Wakahul, who confirmed the directive.
"I have this afternoon spoken with both State Hse Chief-Of-Staff @NziokaWaita and @PDUDelivery Secretary @andrew_wakahiu1, Re: Meshack Otieno of Juja. I can authoritatively reveal that instructions have issued to ensure Government procures beds from him alongside the other youths," Jakakimba tweeted.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had earlier angered Kenyans by awarding a tender for 500 hospital beds to a group of youth innovators from Githunguri Kiambu County, sidelining Juja's Meshack Otieno.
The President's decision was met with widespread criticism, with many questioning why the government would award a tender to a group of youth innovators when Meshak Otieno's work had gone viral on social media.
