Ousted KEMSA officials questioned over Sh3.7bn mosquito nets scandal

Suspended KeMSA CEO Terry Ramadhani. [Jenipher Wachie, Standard]

On her part, suspended KEMSA Chief Executive Terry Ramadhani says the first time the tender was advertised in the local dailies was in January 2023 and closed on March 10, upon which it was then extended.

"We informed Treasury of our intention to extend the tendering process after errors were identified. Treasury responded to our request saying the nets being procured were supposed to be Pyrethroid and not PBO insecticide," she explained.

She says the Ministry of Health had advised them to use the latter. However, she did not respond to the ministry's communication by PS Josephine Mburu since it came two days after the end of the tender advertisement.

"The Ministry of Health said we use PBO instead of Pyrethroid as requested by Global Fund. MoH wrote saying POB was to be put, and not Pyrethroid. Global Fund said the Pyrethroid was what was required and that is what it had approved."

However, Ramadhani claimed there was no loss of public funds because there were no awards given.

Ramadhani was suspended together with other Ministry of Health staff including Martin Wamwea, Lenson Kariuki, Dr Pauline Duya, Livingstone Njuguna, Dr Charles Kariuki, Justus Kinoti, Cosmas Rotich, and Anthony Chege.

President William Ruto made the termination following complaints of corruption and mismanagement at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).