Data from the Registrar of Companies has revealed the owners of seven firms awarded lucrative contracts under the Ksh 200 billion National Equipment Support Programme (NESP) initiative launched by President William Ruto on August 7, 2025, to modernize diagnostic and treatment facilities in county and national referral hospitals.
The programme, which will run for seven years, replaces the Medical Equipment Scheme and shifts the cost of procurement and maintenance away from national and county budgets. Suppliers will install, service, and maintain the equipment, while the Social Health Authority pays for each use.
Records from the Registrar of Companies show the tender winners and their owners as follows.
(1) Sunview Medipro – Abdiweli Mohamed Hassan (CT scans)
(2) Angelica – Mary Wanja Ibutu (Dialysis)
(3) Megascope – Richard Ngatia (Ultrasound)
(4) Caring International – Dr Erick Rutto (MRI)
(5) Provered Technologies – Sanjay Bajpai (X-ray)
(6) Obaidulla Contracting – Abdulaziz Mohamed Ibrahim Obaidalla (X-ray)
(7) Melco Kenya Ltd – Melenco Holding Ltd (X-ray)
The list includes prominent business figures such as Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) president Richard Ngatia and Kenya Medical Association (KMA) president Dr Erick Rutto.
One of the firms, Caring International, has drawn particular scrutiny, with registry filings showing changes in ownership in the months before it was awarded its contract in October 2024.
Industry observers say such shifts are often red flags in government contracting, potentially signalling last-minute takeovers ahead of lucrative deals.
Under the initial rollout, 14 CT scanners, 30 dialysis machines, and digital X-ray systems have been delivered to hospitals in 45 counties that have signed the Intergovernmental Participatory Agreement (IPA).
An additional 58 digital X-rays, 65 ultrasound machines, 19 CT scanners, and 200 pieces of theatre and laboratory equipment are expected within two months.
Since June 2025, SHA data shows that more than 60,000 medical procedures have been carried out under the programme in 29 facilities across 18 counties.
The scale of the investment and the involvement of politically connected figures are likely to intensify questions over how the tenders were awarded and whether political influence played a role in determining the winners.
