Ex-PS Josephine Mburu Clarifies Letter in Ksh 3.7B KEMSA Scandal

A photo collage of President William Ruto speaking during a meeting in Israel on May 10, 2023 and Former Public Health PS Josephine Mburu who was sacked on May 15, 2023.
A photo collage of President William Ruto speaking during a meeting in Israel on May 10, 2023, and Former Public Health PS Josephine Mburu who was sacked on May 15, 2023.
PCS
Josephine Mburu

Former Public Health Principal Secretary, Josephine Mburu, on Tuesday, June 6, maintained her innocence in the Ksh3.7 billion Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) scandal that led to her dismissal. 

Appearing before the Senate Health Committee, Mburu expressed that the medical agency tasked with procuring medical equipment was not under her docket but that of her former colleague Peter Tum - who was moved to the Ministry of Sports.

She, therefore, clarified that she had no power to influence the tendering process done by the agency.

"KEMSA is under medical services where Tum was in charge.  I have no control over whatever happens in KEMSA.

Former Health Principal Secretary Josephine Mburu speaking on April 29, 2023
Former Health Principal Secretary Josephine Mburu speaking at a conference on April 29, 2023.
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Josephine Mburu

"I was not involved in the process. The process had already started before me. I believe the staff did everything to the best of their ability unless otherwise but I was not involved," she stated.

When asked about her letter changing specifications for mosquito nets, the PS indicated that the letter was an advisory to the agency, written based on documentation already prepared by the Ministries of Treasury and Health. 

"When the advert was made public, the head of the Malaria Programme noted an omission and alerted me. I did not even know there was an advert because KEMSA is a separate entity.

"The letter did not stall the process. As a PS, I only gave advice based on the previous specifications shared by Malaria Programme in 2016," she stated.

Further, she added that she was unaware whether funds were lost, indicating that the Treasury was better placed to address the misappropriation.  

Ruto fired Mburu on May 16 after Global Fund - the donor behind the malaria programme, raised concerns over the last-minute changes in the specifications of mosquito nets tendered by Kemsa.

Her exit from the Ministry after serving for 163 days was also followed by changes in the KEMSA board, including the suspension of CEO Terry Ramadhani.

Tum has yet to account for his involvement in the mosquito net tender.

Labour Principal Secretary Peter Tum in his office.
Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum in his office on April 2022.
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Peter Tum