On 22 November 2018, the Senate moved to force answers from Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki over the controversial seven-year medical equipment leasing project, after lawmakers said the real cost of the programme remained unclear.
Senators said the annual allocation had shifted from an initial Sh4.5 billion to Sh6.1 billion and then to Sh9.4 billion in the current budget, without any explanation from the Health ministry. They argued that the changing figures raised fresh questions about how the deal was structured and why counties were being billed a flat Sh200 million each year.
The legislators also raised concerns that some of the equipment had been delivered to counties without the infrastructure needed to use it, while other machines had already become obsolete. They said counties were still being charged for repairs even though no requisition had been made and no advance payment for maintenance had been provided.
Deputy Majority Leader Fatuma Dullo, who represents Isiolo, pushed the matter into the open after seeking a statement from the ministry. She questioned why counties were paying a standard rate, why the charge appeared inflated, and why the contracts had not been disclosed. “There is no disclosure from the Government. Nyamira Senator Okongo Omogeni has sought copies of the contracts to no avail,” Ms Dullo said.
She added that there had been no proper consultation with counties and no public participation. “Counties are shouldering the repairs. We want answers why the ministry changed the cost yet the equipment runs without experts. The equipment is underutilised,” she said.
The Senate Health Committee chairman, Michael Mbito of Trans Nzoia, also accused Ms Kariuki of frustrating attempts to get information on the project. He said the Senate had been left out of matters tied to the leasing arrangement, despite earlier assurances that the ministry would engage with lawmakers.
“Senate has been excluded on all matters relating to the project. The CS apologised and promised to engage but continues to ignore us,” he said.
Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen, the Elgeyo Marakwet senator, said Parliament should not wait for years before confronting possible corruption. He said the Senate needed to help the country and the President stop abuse in public projects.
Murkomen also asked whether the Public Private Partnership Act had been applied and which experts had been sent to counties to help them make informed decisions on the project.
The Senate summoned Ms Kariuki to appear on Tuesday at 10am to explain the leasing programme and the rollout of universal healthcare.
