The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has issued a memo outlining the seven key activities of the Ministry of Health that will be directly affected following the suspension of Sh2.1 Billion funding meant for Kenya.
The memo by USAID Contracting Officer Brian Woody blacklisted activities such as:
1. Participation in meetings including technical working groups, coordination committees, steering committees and intergovernmental committees or other similar groups with the Ministry of Health.
2. Salaries and wages for all staff under the Global Health Security Agenda and US President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief.
3. Domestic and international travel.
4. Meeting and workshop costs
5. Printing and communication material costs
6. Security services, building and equipment maintenance
7. Fleet maintenance and fuel expenses.
The suspension of funds by the US body came amid claims of gross misappropriation of funds following the publicised "Afya-House Scandal" that involved Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopha Mailu and his then Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri.
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"We took this step because of ongoing concern about reports of corruption and weak accounting procedures at the ministry," US Ambassador Robert Godec said yesterday.
Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu, however, assured the public that all projects supported by USAID would not be affected, however, there is serious concern over the fate of the free maternity services program.
"We wish to clarify that US government support for procurement of life-saving essential commodities such as ARVs, HIV test kits, nutritional supplements, family planning products and other essential equipment have not been affected," explained Dr Mailu.
