Western region where Covid-19 tenders went to officials’ friends
A worker makes personal protective equipment at a factory. Traders linked to top county officials have won tenders to supply such gear. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- County officials have also been linked to several firms, which bid for tenders through their proxies.
In Busia, Medicon East Africa Limited delivered 10 cartons of face masks in April, but health workers rejected them since they were of inferior quality.
Firms linked to county bosses in western region have been awarded lucrative tenders to supply items needed in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some of the individuals whose firms won the tenders have been linked to funding political campaigns of politicians in the region in the 2017 General Election.
County officials have also been linked to several firms, which bid for tenders through their proxies.
Worse, some of the suppliers delivered substandard poor quality face masks and hand sanitisers in the procurement rush that gripped the region.
In Busia, Medicon East Africa Limited delivered 10 cartons of face masks in April, but health workers rejected them since they were of inferior quality.
Mr Isaiah Omondi, the local Kenya National Union Nurses chairman said the masks were of poor quality and could have exposed the health workers to the risk of infection.
“We stood our ground and rejected the substandard face masks, which had been supplied for use by health workers,” said Mr Omondi.
Fresh tender
A search conducted by the Nation at the Registrar of Companies revealed that the directors of the firm are Justus Aineya Omusugu and Emmanuel Okumu Okworo.
The firm has been awarded a fresh tender by the county government to supply 50 double-crank hospital beds with Macintosh mattresses and 50 bedside lockers to be used in isolation centres.
The firm, associated with a senior official in the county’s Health department, has been awarded another tender for the supply of biosafety cabinets.
A Busia businessman with close links to a senior county government official is among suppliers awarded the lucrative tenders.
Mr Mathews Tornado Okech, a director of Breeze Petroleum Limited in Busia town, has been awarded a tender to supply fuel to ambulances and county government vehicles used for tracing of those suspected of being infected with Covid-19.
Mr Okech owns Breeze Hotel in Busia town, which serves as a venue for key county government events, including training workshops and meetings organised by county government officials.
He is an ally of a senior county government official. A search by the Nation at the Registrar of Companies indicated that other suppliers who have been awarded the contracts include Karuok General Services Limited, whose director is listed as James Odiwuor Erasto Anyango.
Supply 200 cellular blankets
The firm has been awarded a tender to supply 200 cellular blankets for use in isolations centres and health facilities. The firm will supply 100 bed sheets, 100 pillows, 100 disposable aprons and 100 scrubs for use by health workers in isolation wards.
Bordergate Construction Services, whose director is listed as Nicholas Pombola Opuba, has been awarded a tender for renovation of isolation sites at Busia County Referral Hospital, Alupe, Port Victoria, Sio Port, Khunyangu, Nambale and Teso North sub-county Hospital.
In Bungoma, politicians and other influential officials associated with senior county officials were awarded tenders to supply PPEs and equipment needed for use in isolation centres.
At the Webuye Hospital isolation centre, the Nation established that no beds had been delivered to the facility.
County Health Services executive Anthony Walela and chief officer Patrick Wandili said they were not in a position to discuss details relating to firms that had been contracted to supply and deliver equipment to hospitals.
The county government is yet to renovate and equip the Webuye sub-county Hospital, the Bumula health facility, Munyendo dispensary, Malakisi health centre and Nalondo health centre.
In Vihiga, the county government plans to spend Sh60 million to set up an ICU at the Mbale County Referral Hospital, put up an oxygen plant and equip the theatre.
But no details were forthcoming from county officials on the procurement plans and contractors involved.
In Kakamega, contracts worth millions of shillings have kicked off after the county government advertised tenders for the supply of ICU equipment — which include ventilators, ICU beds and monitors, medical equipment an oxygen generating plant, masks, linen, reagents and beds.
But county government officials declined to give details on the firms involved, with reports indicating some of the firms awarded tenders to renovate the facilities are associated with senior county government officials.
