Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi, is currently being investigated by the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) over procurement anomalies in the setting up of the Covid-19 medical complex in the county, a report shared on Sunday, May 24, revealed.
EACC investigators led by Upper Coast manager Ignatius Wekesa, sent out several letters to Governor Kingi's office requesting for original documents pertaining to the construction of the health centre and procurement of various equipment such as ICU beds that were reportedly priced at Ksh1.6 million each.
"Kindly but urgently provide us with the original files containing all the documents; the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMIS) trail for all payments, appointment letter for inspection and acceptance committee," reads a section of the request letter from the anti-graft agency in part.
EACC Chief Executive Officer Twalib Mbarak also issued a statement regarding the probe into the construction of the medical complex, emphasising that the commission was only interested in determining whether the pricing was not inflated.
“Even though it was done to mitigate the effects of coronavirus, we want to establish if there is value for money,” stated Mbarak.
The Ksh400 million Covid-19 medical facility attracted scrutiny over alleged reports that the construction cost was rumped up by 25%.
Governor Kingi's Turkana counterpart Josphat Nanok is also facing a similar inquiry, with the anti-corruption agency summoning the governor on May 27, to elaborate on some peculiar purchases.
Key among the items that the commission is seeking clarity on is a fire engine that reportedly cost Ksh42 million.
“This commission is conducting investigations relating to (suspected) procurement irregularities in purchase of a fire engine by the county government of Turkana from Winston International,” reads an excerpt of the summon letter issued to the Turkana Governor.
Several of his county officials including Head of Procurement Richard Emoru Oboo and the Chief Officer-Finance Joseph Emathe Namuar were also requested to present themselves for questioning.
On Tuesday, April 28, Mbarak issued out a warning to all governors regarding various Covid-19 emergency donations.
"People should not be mistaken that because of the emergency, county governments or other public entities will start taking shortcuts under the guise of an emergency. We support emergency measures and quick implementation but shortcuts will not be entertained.
"People who have taken shortcuts or do not follow the procurement process, people who will supply substandard equipment and those who will do some inflated costs contrary to the market value, the commission will take action against them," Mbarak reiterated.
