This archive report was first published on 8 August 2020.
Published on August 8, 2020, the public outcry over the misuse of billions of shillings meant for the Covid-19 pandemic has been loud and clear. The Senate ad hoc committee on Covid-19 has pledged to audit the funds, a move that has been welcomed by many.
The Covid-19 pandemic has been a devastating health challenge that has left a trail of destruction across the country. It is shocking that some individuals have sought to profit from the pain and misery of their fellow Kenyans.
Well-connected individuals have been accused of making millions of shillings in suspect transactions, taking advantage of the pandemic to line their pockets. This callous greed must be condemned in the harshest terms possible.
It is suspected that hundreds of millions of shillings may have been diverted, misapplied or misappropriated. The National Treasury has had to cancel allocations to other pressing needs to enable this audit to be done.
The audit should focus on suspected fraudulent procurement and purchases by the Health ministry and its agencies. In May, a similar public uproar was sparked when it was revealed that a sizeable amount of the Covid-19 funds was being used to buy tea and phone airtime and pay for administrative expenses.
This inquiry should be speeded up and the culprits identified, apprehended and punished to restore confidence and ensure that any funds made available for the Covid-19 war are prudently managed and put to their intended purpose.
