A company associated with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s kin got Ksh 84 million from a Covid-19 tender, details have emerged.
When Covid-19 first hit the Country, there is a section of traders who saw a business opportunity, going after tenders in the Ministry of Health that have seen them make away with millions.
According to a report by Daily Nation, some business people chattered planes to China to physically fly in Covid-19 medical supplies.
The report by the local daily further revealed that some traders waited for the goods, that is personal protective gear, ventilators and other medical items to land in Nairobi, then snapped them up in bulk and waited.
Others waylaid donations at the airport and diverted them to private warehouses, waiting for the procurement whistle to be blown.
Kenya has been receiving several billions from donors to address the pandemic.
First, Kenya received Sh78.3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address the pandemic.
Then the World Bank wired Sh108 billion to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), as both budgetary support and extra resources to help fight the deadly viral infection.
As traders rushed for the government tenders to get the share of the billions donated to Kenya, President Kenyatta’s niece happens to be among those who got millions.
Ziwala Limited, which is owned by Ms Samantha Ngina Muthama who is President Kenyatta’s niece, and June Nduta Kinyua, equally received a piece of the Covid-19 billions.
It got a Sh84 million contract to supply 120,000 pieces of KN95 face masks, also at the inflated price of Sh700 a piece.
Economist David Ndii on Monday August 3, 2020 through his social media handles demonstrated the move, accusing the head of state of allowing his relatives to plunder Kenya’s economy with his protection.
“Dear Kumîra Kumîra. While you were out bleating #OneManOneVoteOneShilling nonsense on empty stomachs, Uhuru Kenyatta’s niece ate Sh84 million Covid-19 tender. Turkanas are not freeloading on YOUR taxes. #Relathieves are plundering OUR taxes with your protection. Ng’ondu ici,” tweeted Ndii.
