Agriculture Cabinet Secretary nominee Mutahi Kagwe found himself on the defensive as the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments revisited the infamous Ksh. 7.8 billion KEMSA tender scandal during his vetting. The controversy, which shook the Ministry of Health at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, involved alleged mismanagement of funds meant for procuring Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and awarding tenders to politically connected individuals.
In his testimony, Kagwe admitted responsibility for the challenges faced during his tenure as Health CS but emphasized the steps he took to combat corruption. “I take responsibility for all the negatives that happened when we were fighting Covid,” Kagwe said, while detailing his efforts to overhaul the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA). He stated that his reengineering of KEMSA included staff changes and organizational restructuring, as well as inviting law enforcement to investigate the scandal.
The KEMSA saga had prompted then-President Uhuru Kenyatta to dissolve the agency’s board, following an inquiry by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). Kagwe told the committee he had waged a tough battle against entrenched cartels in the Health Ministry, which he claimed had significantly hindered the agency’s operations.
Despite the controversy, Kagwe highlighted his achievements in cost-cutting measures during the pandemic. “When PPEs were scarce, they cost Sh9,000 per unit. But once we started local production, we were able to get them for a quarter of the price,” he said, demonstrating the impact of his leadership.
Looking forward, Kagwe pledged to use social and mainstream media to combat misinformation and disinformation in his new role. “We must leverage social media to share accurate information. It is a vital tool for engaging with Kenyans,” he added.
The vetting session underscored the lasting impact of the COVID-19 scandal but also highlighted Kagwe’s resolve to address governance challenges in future leadership roles.
