A report has revealed how Lands Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri denied former Health Secretary Cleophas Mailu access to crucial contract documents in a Ksh63 billion medical leasing deal.
According to a Senate committee, Muraguri hid the contracts and other supporting documents on grounds that they were ‘secret’.
Mr Mailu told the Senate committee probing the medical equipment services deal that Mr Muraguri intentionally blocked his involvement in the activities of the ministry.
Wrangles
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“The committee further observes that according to the testimony of Dr Mailu, he faced various challenges during his tenure as CS Health owing to a poor working relationship with his PS, Dr Nicholas Muraguri arising from disputes over their respective mandates, and alleged efforts by the PS to impede his work at the MoH,” the committee says in the report tabled last week.
Mr Muraguri is said signed the letter on behalf of the Health ministry that awarded a local firm the contract to supply radiology kits in a deal that breached tender provisions.
In 2015, the national government contracted five firms to supply specific equipment under a leasing deal for the diagnosis and treatment of ailments such as cancer.
Controversy
GE East Africa, a local company that does not manufacture medical kits won a Ksh24.06 billion contract to supply radiology kits to level 4, 5 and 6 hospitals in the counties.
Under the MES deal, only primary equipment manufacturers were qualified to vie for the supply of specialised facilities to the 47 counties raising concerns on why the ministry went for an unqualified contractor.
