This archive report was first published on 5 May 2020.
Kenya's Covid-19 Funds Scandal: A Tale of Missing Millions ¶
As the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, Kenya's parliament has come under scrutiny for allegedly misusing Sh1.3 billion meant for emergency response. The scandal has sparked widespread outrage, with citizens taking to social media to demand answers.
According to a tweet by @gathara on April 29, nearly 10% of the Sh1 billion received from the World Bank was spent on airtime for staff, stationery, and tea and snacks. The tweet was liked 1,500 times and retweeted 1,400 times.
On April 30, The Standard followed up with a detailed breakdown of the expenditure, revealing that Sh42 million was spent on leasing ambulances, Sh4 million on tea and snacks, and Sh2 million on airtime. The funds were earmarked for emergency response, including procurement of personal protective equipment (PPEs), medicines, and setting up of isolation facilities.
Communications cost was listed as Sh70 million, sparking questions about the difference between airtime that cost Sh2 million and communication that cost Sh70 million. Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe dismissed the allegations as detractors trying to bring down the agenda.
However, a morning radio show, The Situation Room by Spice FM, pulled no punches in criticizing the government's handling of the scandal. Co-host Ndu Okoh said,
