By Correspondent
The Sh. 2 million bribe health equipment bribe for PS Muthoni that junior workers negotiated.
Reports of favoritism and bribery involving the procurement of health equipment to devolved units in an initiative involving the Ministry of Health (MoH), Council of Governors (CoG) and African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) is out with details how Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni is using her juniors to collect bribes.
In a confidential complaint against Muthoni and the junior officials, a whistleblower is alleging serious bribery claims involving Muthoni and other officials in the ministry in what is becoming a trend.
Amref Health Africa has actively been partnering with Ministry of Health and the governors in strengthening county health systems through the Oxygen Support Project and other initiatives.
In the Oxygen Support Project, the initiative involves supplying, installing, and maintaining medical oxygen infrastructure and equipment across all 47 counties to enhance critical care, maternal health, and emergency response.
In the complaint dated 02, May, 2025 obtained by us, there is request to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for employees named Nancy, Kipkerich and Esther.
The complainant cries that they’ve complained a number of times, but it seems Afya House can’t listen, making them to request for exhaustive investigation on the three staff members and one Chetan.
“Today we are requesting DCI to investigate the three staff and Chetan in relation to AMREF advert on equipment procurement that came out today in the newspapers. The three staff members were given 2 million in the Radisson Blue Hotel, Arboretum. Nancy had promised to give one million to Mutjhoni, each shared Sh.300,000. The remaining Sh.100,000 was to be shared with Nicholas Odipo and Nyakundi so that the two could manage to protect the offices of the three,” wrote the complainant.
The letter goes ahead to blame two individuals; Odipo and Nyakundi, who are allegedly not allowed to act on behalf of a body that engages the health docket.
“It is good to note that Odipo and Nyakundi constantly write complaint without consulting NEC and members. They are representing no one apart from Kipkerich, Nancy and Esther.”
“The danger of this corrupt practice by the three is that the specifications of equipment in this procurement has favoured a biochemistry equipment …. Fuji that is being supplied by Science Scope, much to the detriment of other suppliers and the end user, which is the country,” notes the complainant.
The whistleblower goes ahead to call on Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to tame the ministry’s officials abetting corruption.
“CS Dwale (Mchapakazi), the initial specifications were developed by counties in three meetings, and yet one person (Kipkerich), decided to change the specifications, and he brags that the three of them are protected by PS Muthoni and nothing can happen to them. This was done under the guide of Nancy and Esther.”
The corruption buster asks the DCI to contact Chetan for a recording of the bribery.
“DCI, Kindly contact Chetan and request him to give you the tape. He recorded the entire conversation. This is GF money being misused. I can guess the counties will reject the equipment bought without their participation.”
PS Muthoni who has been mentioned in the scandal is said to frustrating the operationalisation of the National Public Health Institute.
This institute, will be responsible for public health issues.
According to an insider at the health docket, It is the National Public Health Institute that will take away roles such as the one she is giving a statement about, and will take away most budget which she has been misappropriating.
“Public health has been her cash cow. Therefore, she doesn’t want the newly formed NPHI to be independent and to have their own budget as it will cause the taps to run dry for her. She demands to be bribed by each partner and donor working with MoH. For example, she demanded huge bribes from a partner in Neglected Tropical Diseases and even asked them to reduce funds to Community Health Promoters (CHPs) just to cater for her demands,” disclosed the insider who sought to remain anonymous.
Technocrats at the health ministry avers that the PS lacks the technical knowhow or capacity to engage in matters of public health.
