Josephine Mburu, the former PS Ministry of Health's State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards strongly refuted her involvement in the Sh3.7 billion anti-mosquito net scandal that engulfed the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KeMSA).
Mburu refuted the claims on Tuesday when she appeared before the Senate Health Committee chaired by Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago where she claimed she assumed office after the procurement process had already commenced.
During the hearing, Mburu expressed her surprise upon witnessing the scandal unfold on television, thanking President William Ruto for the opportunity to serve and refraining from challenging his decision to relieve her of her duties.
However, she emphasized her desire for the truth to emerge regarding her alleged role in the scandal, allowing the people of Kenya to judge her accordingly.
"I was not involved in the process. The process had started, and I was told the new government had to continue the process. I believe the staff advised properly," Mburu stated, asserting her innocence.
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To clarify the situation, Mburu highlighted that KeMSA's operations fell under the purview of the Ministry of Medical Services, not the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards that she oversaw.
She explained that PS Peter Tum was responsible for supervising KeMSA, adding that she had no control over the organization's activities.
Mburu also clarified that she had assumed her position while the procurement process was already underway and only became aware of an omission in an advertisement through her staff.
"KeMSA is not under me; it was under PS Tum. I have no control over what happened there. KeMSA is under medical services, which was headed by former PS Tum, who has now been transferred to another ministry," Mburu clarified.
Regarding the omission, Mburu promptly addressed the issue by writing a letter to KeMSA after seeking guidance from experts within the Ministry. Her intention was to provide clarity rather than halt the tendering process.
"l was not involved in the process when KeMSA put the mosquito net tendering advert in the public domain…that's when the Head of Malaria program noticed the omissions. My letter to KeMSA concerning the omissions did not stop the tendering process as l was only giving clarity l did not stop it," Mburu explained.
Recently, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) launched investigations into the alleged irregularities surrounding the award of the anti-mosquito net tender at KEMSA.
EACC detectives have obtained documents and other evidence from KEMSA offices to aid in their inquiry.
President William Ruto took decisive action in response to the scandal, relieving Josephine Mburu of her position as PS and revoking the appointments of the Chairperson and Members of the Board of Directors of KEMSA, who were responsible for the flawed procurement process.
In an ironic turn of events that left many Kenyans puzzled, PS Tum, who was in charge of KeMSA, was reassigned from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Sports.
As the investigations unfold, the truth surrounding the alleged anti-mosquito net scandal at KeMSA remains to be fully revealed.
Mburu maintains her innocence and calls for a fair hearing to ascertain her level of involvement, allowing Kenyans to make an informed judgment.
