Jubilee Party vice-chair David Murathe appeared before the Public Investment Committee (PIC) in 2021 to address allegations linking him to the Sh7.8 billion KEMSA procurement scandal during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Murathe denied supplying medical equipment to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), stating he only served as a signatory for Killig Limited, a company under investigation. He claimed the role was administrative, not financial, and that he had no contractual obligations or benefits from the arrangement.
"I have never supplied even a mask or anything to KEMSA," Murathe asserted. "I am not a director of Killig, I did not get a contract with KEMSA, and I did not supply to KEMSA." He explained the signatory role was to facilitate a business relationship between ENTEC, a PPE supplier, and Killig Limited.
"The use of the word 'guarantee' was not contractual," he clarified. "It was a word of comfort to confirm I knew the people involved. I was facilitating a friend to do business, not seeking personal gain." Murathe emphasized he ceased the signatory role on August 5, 2020, after KEMSA terminated its contract with Killig Limited.
He also addressed public perceptions, stating the scandal had led to false assumptions about his wealth. "Everybody with a small problem is calling me to give them money. They now think I am a billionaire," Murathe said, adding he had previously bailed individuals without expecting repayment.
The 1920-pixel width image accompanying the original report highlights technical metadata, though no events from that year are referenced in the scandal context.
