EACC detectives raid offices of Health ministry

Michael Mubea (left), the deputy chief executive officer of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, with detectives from the body at Afya House, the headquarters of the Ministry of Health, in Nairobi on October 28, 2016. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Separately, Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu said it was premature to ask Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri, who was recorded threatening a reporter covering the story, to resign.

  • The detectives, led by Deputy Chief Executive Officer Michael Mubea, searched for documents they believe could help the investigation.

Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission on Friday raided the Ministry of Health's offices at Afya House as investigations into the alleged loss of Sh5.2 billion at the government department gathered pace.

Separately, Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu said it was premature to ask Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri, who was recorded threatening a reporter covering the story, to resign.

The detectives, led by Deputy Chief Executive Officer Michael Mubea, searched for documents they believe could help the investigation.

The scandal involves manipulation of the Integrated Financial Management System, which was ironically put in place to end inefficiency in government payments.

Mr Mubea said he had earlier in the morning asked the CS to make available all documents that could be of help to the detectives.

He said even before the audit report was leaked to the media, the commission had been conducting investigations which will be concluded in two weeks.

“On this particular issue, we have set up a special team to look into allegations of irregular payment and misappropriation of funds and we have commenced fresh investigations,” Mr Mubea said.

PROVIDE DOCUMENTS

He said the commission also wanted the ministry to provide documents on companies mentioned in the report for scrutiny. “We want the documents by the end of the day today (Friday) or latest tomorrow and are optimistic because they have been cooperative,” he said.

He added that the inquiry will be concluded in a month and the findings made public.

He, however, said the commission had not received reports of missing files. “The Cabinet Secretary has assured us that all the documents will be made available and I cannot say at this point anything is missing.”

Earlier, the media had reported that files relating to one of the companies that received the largest payments, Estama Investment, were missing at the Companies Registry.

The company was allegedly paid Sh200 million.

A statement from the Attorney-General’s office, where the registry is situated, dismissed the reports, saying the file was available.

'THE COMPANY'

“The names of directors/shareholders of the company are indicated as Ambrose Makanga Ngari, with 500 shares and Esther Wahito Makanga, with the other 500,” the acting Registrar-General indicated.

The company’s details are not available on the Registrar of Companies digital records because it has not filed any taxes in the past two years.

The AG’s office made available details of the other two companies — Life Care Medics and Medafrica — which were also adversely mentioned in the audit report.

Speaking at a press conference hours after the raid, CS Mailu said it was too early to consider taking action against Dr Muraguri.

Mr Mailu, who did not allow the PS to make a statement although he was next to him, said the audit report was released prematurely.

“Media reports of the leaked internal audit report did not include replies and queries it raised,” Mr Mailu said.