Pumwani Hospital run by cartel, Khalwale tells House

An MP has alleged the presence of a cartel at the Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi.

Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale said corruption at the hospital has resulted in the award of supply tenders to 11 non-existent companies.

Dr Khalwale claimed workers at the largest maternity facility in Kenya, own companies that have been awarded tenders there.

He said the procurement officer, Mr Stephen Ajenga Musina, owns a company that has a contract with the hospital and has therefore been “paying himself” for the supplies.

The Medical Officer of Health, Dr Robert Ayisi, who is in charge of the hospital, has also been named as one of the beneficiaries of the schemes.

Dr Khalwale said the cartel operates briefcase companies that have been fleecing the hospital, which is under the City Council of Nairobi, and have been receiving payments for fictitious deliveries.

The lawmaker also alleged that the Medical Services, Public Health and Local Government ministers had ignored the advice of the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board to appoint a caretaker committee to manage the hospital.

The directors of Medical Services and Public Health, said Dr Khalwale, had requested the transfer of Dr Ayisi.

He said the transfer was rejected because the doctor had “political connections” with the Local Government minister.

But Mr Mudavadi denied the allegations although he admitted there were some shortcomings at the hospital over the last few months, and corrective action had been taken.

He asked for more time to study the documents tabled by Dr Khalwale.

In his statement on the matter on Tuesday evening, Mr Mudavadi told Parliament Dr Ayisi’s transfer to Kitale District Hospital was cancelled by the Medical Services PS.

“It (the transfer) was irregular and his performance at the City Council of Nairobi as a Medical Officer of Health was good,” said Mr Mudavadi.

He said there were 19 maternal and 324 newborn deaths at the hospital between January and July this year.

Mr Mudavadi was granted more time to examine the documents and will respond to the allegations on Wednesday next week.