Public Investment Committee (PIC) has recommended the prosecution of suspended KEMSA Chief Executive officer Jonah Manjari and his two directors.
PIC Chairperson Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir has submitted the recommendation to the National Assembly following the procurement of medical supplies for COVID-19 amounting to Sh7.8 billion.
Nassir said that the EACC needs to investigate and prefer charges against the suspended chief executive officer Jonah Manjari for ignoring advice from the board that suspended further procurement of PPEs because of budget constraints.
"The EACC should do a thorough investigation and prefer charges against the Chief Executive officer, Mr Jonah Manjari for appending signature on commitment letters that is not recognized by the law, ignoring advice from the board that had resolved to suspend additional procurement of PPEs because of the budget constraints," cited Nassir.
PIC also added that the former Chief Executive officer should be investigated for failing to update the board on the readiness of KEMSA management to procure Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs)
Read More
Similarly, the committee noted Manjari failed to initiate procurement through requisitions and did not conduct due diligence on supplies prior to issuing commitment letters to some suppliers who were not even qualified.
The Committee also recommended that former Procurement Director Charles Juma and the commercial Director Eliud Muriithi be held accountable for the utilization of COVID-19 funds by KEMSA.
Others yet to face the investigations include the Director of Finance and Strategy, Waiganjo Karanja, and head of legal Department Ferdinand Wanyonyi, on whether they conducted their responsibilities as heads of Treasury and legal advisers to the CEO.