This archive report was first published on 25 August 2020.
On August 25, 2020, the Assets Recovery Agency faced mounting pressure to act swiftly against individuals suspected of embezzling billions of shillings in the fight against the coronavirus.
Over 25 civil society groups, including Transparency International, the International Commission of Jurists, and the Kenya Human Rights Commission, called for the seizure of property and freezing of bank accounts of those implicated in flawed procurement of medical kits, protective gear, and inflated contracts.
The groups cited the Ministry of Health and its agencies, including the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa), for purchasing medical equipment at inflated costs, leading to the loss of taxpayer funds and donor aid.
Some donors have withdrawn their funding used to finance control and mitigation of diseases like HIV/Aids, following the corruption allegations.
Just days prior, the Global Fund announced it would no longer provide Kenya with cash grants due to corruption, instead opting to purchase medical supplies needed by the country.
