The Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) on Wednesday, May 17, released a report on the state of corruption at the Ministry of Health.
While the report indicted policy developers and managers at the Ministry of Health, it also revealed the loopholes that government officials and suppliers normally exploit to steal from the public.
The dubious strategies included delays in the completion of major projects, procurement irregularities and unethical engagements with suppliers.
"This Survey Report comes at a time when the country is grappling with serious issues of corruption in the Health Sector. EACC will continue to support public institutions to proactively prevent corruption before it occurs," EACC Chairperson Dr. David Oginde explained.
Delay in completion of healthcare projects/ completion beyond the contract period high in Tharaka-Nithi, Embu and Homa-Bay counties and low in Makueni, Kitui and Turkana counties.
EACC found that favoritism constituted 20.8 per cent, conflict of interest (19.5 per cent) and bribery (16.3 per cent) were identified as main forms of corruption in the health sector.
The commission also established that unethical practices such as manipulation of costs, distorting procurement plans and favoritism were encountered at the project initiation stage.
EACC noted that corrupt health officials made large payments for substandard works while bribery was the most prevalent form of corruption at the post-tendering phase of health projects.
"Costs inflation, undue influence and collusion were the most prevalent forms of corruption and unethical conduct at the budgeting phase.
"Costs inflation, misappropriation of funds and bribery were the most prevalent forms of corruption and unethical conduct at commitment phase of financial management in health care projects," the EACC report outlined.
At the verification phase, EACC observed that acceptance of substandard items and non-delivery of items, price inflation and non-adherence to laws and regulations were the most prevalent forms of corruption and unethical conduct.
While at the payment phase of financial management, bribery, non-adherence to laws and regulations and delay in payments were the most rampant among health officials.
Makueni ranked the best county in terms of public engagement in the identification of healthcare projects and also ranked the lowest in delays in the completion of projects.
Meru, Tharaka-Nithi and Embu counties had more healthcare projects that had been completed at costs
above the planned budget.
Procurement opportunities for healthcare projects are more accessible in Makueni, Kakamega and Nakuru counties while Wajir, Garissa and Kajiado recorded the lowest levels.
"At least 80.6 per cent of members of the public acknowledge the prevalence of corruption and unethical
conduct in the health sector projects implemented in counties," read part of the report.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha Wafula promised to decisively deal with the corrupt officials who had been reported or mentioned in current and past grafts.
"I will read the EACC Survey Report page to page and implement its recommendations. Kenyans can count on me to address the corruption issues raised in the Ministry," Health CS Nakhumicha Wafula.
