MPs to quiz Kagwe over Covid-19 cash

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has been summoned to appear before the National Assembly Health Committee on Monday over Sh1.3 billion Covid-19 expenditure.

The committee's chairperson, Sabina Chege (pictured), said the CS would be asked to shed light on the itemised budget for funds issued by the World Bank.

Mr Kagwe will also be asked explain the issue of the alleged demotion of a director at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri).

“The CS and his team will appear before the committee on Monday afternoon to clarify on the controversy surrounding the expenditure of the funds," said Ms Chege, the Murang'a Woman Rep.

She added:” We have two items. Apart from the funds, we will also engage the CS on the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of the lead researcher at Kemri.”

MPs have called for a thorough audit of the funds, with senators alleging the pandemic could turn out to be a “cash cow” for some government officials. 

Both the National Assembly and the Senate have demanded accountability after National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani disclosed that the government has received Sh6 billion from the World Bank towards containing the virus.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has dismissed claims of misappropriation of the funds after the Health ministry shared an itemised budget of how the money was spent. The president guaranteed that the World Bank emergency response funds would be accounted for to the last coin, and faulted those out to intimidate his officials at the forefront in the fight against the pandemic.

In a statement, Health Principal Secretary Susan Mochache has since indicated that the funds in question have not been spent, adding that the money is to be appropriated within six months.

“Only part of the Sh1 billion has so far been received, and so far no money has been spent at all. It is, therefore, a gross misrepresentation that the ministry has already spent the money,” said the PS.

“The World Bank support is expected to assist the ministry in the national Covid-19 response for a period of six months (April to September). It is not, therefore, true that the amount has already been spent and the kitty exhausted.”

Questioned budget

Without giving a detailed explanation on the questioned budget, the PS said a rigorous monitoring procedure is in place to inform constant adjustments to Covid-19 response activities to ensure prudent value for all the funds spent.

She maintained that the budget presented to the National Assembly that caused national uproar indicated the projected expenditure of the money during the pandemic, targeting a containment period of six months.

A purge at Afya House has since seen 30 officers transferred as Kagwe promised to take action against any officer found culpable of a misuse of funds. The CS said the government’s sole mission is to save lives.