The government has finally explained why it abandoned plans to procure locally made hospital beds from two young entrepreneurs in Kiambu County.
According to the President’s Delivery Unit (PDU) Secretary Andrew Wakahiu, the plans were shelved after it emerged that one of the entrepreneurs was being investigated for several fraud-related charges.
One of the entrepreneurs identified as Mungai Gathogo has three pending cases at Githunguri police station. The three cases relate to; obtaining money by false pretence and the disappearance of a motor vehicle Gathogo had reportedly hired.
In addition, a visit by government officials to the entrepreneurs’ workshop where they reportedly make and store the beds revealed limited activity, creating suspicion of a fishy business.
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Wakahiu further noted that plans to purchase the beds were complicated by ownership wrangles, making it difficult to establish the real owner of the business.
“After we visited and made the offer, then vicious arguments on the control and management of the company between the two innovators and a man who claimed to be the real owner of the firm and that he had only contracted the duo to help market the beds emerged,” Wakahiu said.
Wakahiu, however, noted that despite the setbacks, the government has helped the entrepreneur clear the debt they allegedly incurred after purchasing equipment for the beds.
