This archive report was first published on 24 August 2020.
On August 24, 2020, a joint statement by at least 25 lobby groups called for swift investigation and prosecution of public officials who oversaw the plunder at the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa).
The groups, comprising civil society and non-governmental organisations, the private sector, professional bodies, and trade unions in Kenya, expressed concern over gaps in transparency and accountability by government agencies charged with managing Covid-19 resources.
According to the statement, loopholes in the system have led to the overpricing of commodities, purchase of substandard personal protective equipment (PPE), embezzlement of commodities, failure of PPE to reach those who need it most, and misappropriation of public funds meant to procure protective gear and support vulnerable Kenyans.
The groups want President Uhuru Kenyatta to address the nation on allegations of corruption at Kemsa and in county governments, which are putting at stake billions of shillings in donor funds.
They also want the Auditor-General to conduct an independent audit of all funds advanced to fight the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to speed up independent investigations on the already suspected cases of corruption at national and county levels.
The groups further demand that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) ensure timely prosecution, the Judiciary facilitate speedy hearing and determination of these cases, and the Asset Recovery Agency act within its mandate to freeze accounts of individuals who have been irregularly allocated or received Covid-19 tenders.
They also want all government agencies to proactively publish the names of companies and their beneficial owners and individuals awarded any contracts for Covid-19 related commodities or services and the contract amounts at national and county levels on the Public Procurement Information Portal.
Other demands include the publication of a market price index of all essential drugs and commodities required for the management and response to Covid-19, a full report on counties' preparedness to respond to the Covid-19 Pandemic, and detailed expenditure information on all funds advanced for the Covid-19 response efforts.
