Dennis Okari's NTV Exposé Saved Govt Ksh9B - EACC

The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission EACC has lauded the media for its watchdog role after NTV's Dennis Okari exposed the rot in the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency. 

The anti-graft boss disclosed that the government managed to save Ksh 9 billion after NTV aired the Covid-19 Millionaires investigative report. 

Ksh 7 billion had already been embezzled by cartels working in cahoots with KEMSA officials who are under investigations by the EACC and the Directorate of Criminal Investigation.

"The media played a role in averting the loss of Ksh 9 billion at KEMSA. The officials had pretended to be smart and had put up adverts which had exaggerated figures (money).

From left: Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) CEO Twalib Mbarak, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) chief George Kinoti addressing a press conference in Nairobi on Thursday, March 5, 2020

Simon Kiragu

Kenyans.co.ke

"The public, however, caught wind of their actions raising suspicion that something fishy was underway," Twalib stated on Tuesday, September 29, while addressing an anti-graft conference. 

He urged the media to partner with the EACC and other investigation agencies to sensitize, disrupt and expose matters corruption. 

The EACC presented a file to Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji after it concluded its investigation. President Uhuru Kenyatta had issued the agency a 30 days timeline to table a conclusive report. 

Haji is expected to address the media on the developments and his next course of action. 

On Monday, September 29, Attorney General Paul Kihara reiterated Kenyatta’s stand and stated that the government will prosecute KEMSA scandal suspects. 

Meanwhile, NTV was ordered to pull down the report from all it's social media handles pending the hearing of a libel case by Megascope Ltd against the broadcaster.

In its suit, the company, which was one of the firms mentioned in the report, claimed that the investigative piece failed to provide proof that Megascope stole Covid-19 kits donated by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma.

Airport staff at JKIA receive medical equipment donated by Jack Ma and Alibaba foundations on March 24, 2020

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