Ghosts of politics past: Ruto CS nominees Kagwe, Kabogo and Kinyanjui forced to confront history

Three men seeking to join President William Ruto’s Cabinet on Tuesday confronted ghosts of their past offices and lives as they outlined aspirations to bring change in their dockets if cleared by Parliament.

Mr Mutahi Kagwe, Mr William Kabogo and Mr Lee Kinyanjui battled claims of impropriety when they served as Health Cabinet Secretary, MP and Nakuru governor, respectively.

Mr Kagwe, the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary nominee, was hard-pressed to explain his role in the scandals at the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa) during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the ban of Russian-made Sputnik vaccine the day then-Deputy President William Ruto had the jab.

The death of university student Mercy Keino and alleged drug trafficking faced Mr Kabogo, the ICT Cabinet Secretary nominee.

Mr Kinyanjui, nominated for the Trade, Industry and Investment docket, was confronted with questions surrounding the rounding up of street families and dumping them in Embobut forest in his efforts to have Nakuru made a city.

He also faced questions on his role in the Solai Dam tragedy.

The National Assembly Committee on Appointments demanded that Mr Kagwe explain why he allowed Kemsa to procure Covid-19 items at exaggerated prices, complicating Kenya’s fights against the virus that claimed millions of lives across the planet.

Belgut MP Nelson Koech told Mr Kagwe to explain why taxpayers lost more than Sh2 billion on procuring of kits to combat Covid-19.

Mr Koech said single-sourcing of personal protective equipment and the acquisition of vaccines cost taxpayers a further Sh1.5 billion, and that the figure could rise.

Mr Kagwe, who put his net worth at Sh840 million, acknowledged the procurement mess at Kemsa. He said as the pandemic struck as the ministry started the restructuring the medical supplies agency.

“We bought a single mask for Sh3,000 when it now costs less than Sh10.I appeared before this House and said we were looking for anyone that could supply face masks. I acknowledge that there was an abuse of procurement at Kemsa,” he said.

Mr Kagwe added that he stood outside Afya House in 2020 and declared the place full of cartels.

“We invited the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and restructured Kemsa,” he said.

“I take responsibility for the negatives. For the positives, I thank our medical practitioners who saved thousands of lives.”

Imenti North MP Rahim Dawoud demanded to know why Mr Kagwe banned Sputnik when the Pharmacy and Poisons Board had approved it and more than 230 Kenyans vaccinated.

Mr Kagwe said banning the vaccine had nothing to do with differences between Dr Ruto and then-president Uhuru Kenyatta.

“We couldn’t use Sputnik vaccine because it was not approved by the World Health Organisation,” he said.

He said no farmer would be forced to have their animals vaccinated.

Mr Kabogo said he had nothing to do with the June 2021 death of university student Mercy Keino. He also distanced himself from a dossier linking him to drug trafficking tabled in Parliament by then-Internal Security Minister George Saitoti.

“I sympathise with the family of Mercy, and may her soul rest in eternal peace,” he said.

“I was acquitted by an inquest. I hope the driver of the truck that killed her will own up.”

In December 2010, Saitoti named four MPs in the House as suspected drug traffickers – Kabogo, Gideon Mbuvi, Ali Hassan Joho and Harun Mwau.

Saitoti added that police were investigating businessman Ali Punjani.

Mr Kabogo, who put his net worth at Sh3 billion, said Kenyans have to strike a balance between freedom of expression and ethical use of the internet.

Mr Kinyanjui denied dumping street families in the forest, saying the reports were malicious.

“I cannot do that. A person with intentions to be governor brought those allegations to the Senate. How come the street children were only known by the politicians and no family members came out in the open?” he asked.

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