NGOs want Covid-19 full disclosure of donors’ funds
Bernard Gitau and Monica Kagia
At least 26 human rights groups and health workers unions have petitioned development partners and international financial institutions to make public the grant agreements on Covid-19 they have signed with the government and other players for transparency and accountability.
Addressing the press yesterday in Nairobi, the human rights organisations expressed concerns, gaps in transparency and accountability by the government agencies charged in managing Covid-19 resources.
Njonjo Mue, a human rights advocate said international donors and development partners involvement in conducting independent audits as it will go a long way in setting records straight on Covid-19 funds utilisation.
“The United Nation agencies must make public on their websites and other platforms the nature of technical support, if any, that they are providing and can further provide to the national and county governments to ensure professionalism and integrity in the management of Covid-19 funds,” said Mue.
Corruption monster
A section of leaders across the country have urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to face the corruption monster head on and take decisive action against officials in the Ministry of Health especially Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) alleged to have inflated, stolen Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and engaged in skewed procurement.
Amani National Congress (ANC) Party leader Musalia Mudavadi has urged the President to establish a Judicial Commission of Inquiry while Deputy President William Ruto has locked horns with ODM leader Raila Odinga with the former terming a section of ODM ‘lords of corruption’ for defending the ongoing uproar over Covid-19 fund misuse.
Raila said the government needs to conduct urgent audit of all the funds that have been put at the disposal of various state agencies, departments and ministries to fight the pandemic with a view to establishing the facts on usage of such resources.
The pressure has been rising with several demonstrations being held in Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa among other towns to press for accountability in the use of the funds.
