Leaders call for action after loss of billions in Health Ministry

Amani National Congress Leader Musalia Mudavadi. (Photo: Eric Lungai/Standard)

A section of leaders have condemned the reported theft of over Sh5 billion at the Ministry of Health.

The leaders want the Government to involve the Auditor General in the investigations and ensure the culprits are prosecuted.

This is despite assurance by Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu they will thoroughly investigate the matter.

Amani National Congress Leader Musalia Mudavadi said: "In order for the public to believe in the investigations, it is necessary that the constitutional body charged with the audit responsibility, the Auditor General, is involved."

He added: "The reality is people will believe in the auditor's report than an internal forensic audit."

CORD co-principal Moses Wetang'ula said the latest theft should not surprise Kenyans. "After all, theft has become part of Jubilee administration."

"We are in a system where respect for public resources is at its lowest. That is why you see people dishing out money everywhere but when asked to explain the source of their wealth they cannot," said the Senate Minority Leader.

Step aside

Mr Wetang'ula wants Health Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri to step aside to give room for investigations.

"I would like to urge a thorough forensic audit so that crooks are nabbed. At the same time, the innocent should not be punished. Muraguri needs to step aside to give way for investigations. People have to bite the bullet," he added.

Wetang'ula castigated Muraguri over reports he has been intimidating journalists who reported on the interim audit report. "We should condemn this kind of arrogance because Kenyans depend on media for information," he added.

Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow said: "This has happened before in ministries which receive donor funds including Health and Education. The Government should go beyond refunding the money by taking the culprits to court," Senator Kerrow said.

The condemnations came as the Ministry of Health confirmed an ongoing audit that has reportedly unearthed loss of Sh5 billion in a fresh scandal that could be one of the biggest loss of public funds.

Wednesday, Dr Mailu said his ministry will make full disclosure of the audit report once it is complete and assured of necessary action to prevent theft of public funds.

In a response to a report in a local daily, Mailu said the ministry is treating the interim report seriously and is open to internal and external scrutiny to ensure transparency and proper management of funds allocated to the ministry.

"The claims are based on an interim audit report which we acknowledge. It is an ongoing process that was supposedly leaked to the media," said Mailu.