Mystery of firms that snapped up Sh470m in Upper Eastern

The four Upper Eastern counties of Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Marsabit and Isiolo have spent about Sh470 million on Covid-19 measures. But that is all the information they are willing to share.

The beneficiaries and the companies that received the money remain a closely guarded secret, which is against the principles of public expenditure.

Despite them spending almost half a billion shillings, only two had attempted to meet the 300-isolation-bed requirement by last week. Meru and Tharaka-Nithi had more than 300 beds, Marsabit had 50 while Isiolo (105) by the end of July.

Yet to install ventilators

Marsabit Public Health Director Adano Kochi said they were procuring 250 beds to meet the target set by President Kenyatta.

The county was also yet to install ventilators, citing delays in procurement due to a shortage of the equipment worldwide.

In Isiolo, Health Executive Wario Galma said they were not in a rush to meet the 300-bed target.

“Looking at our population and the disease trends, the 105 beds are sufficient for now. However, we have scaled up plans based on space and resource availability. We intend to establish a 200-bed isolation facility at Isiolo Referral Hospital by the end of September,” he said.

Officials from all the counties were cagey when asked about companies contracted in the implementation of various projects.

In Meru, the county allocated Sh36 million towards Covid-19 and received Sh102 million from the Ministry of Health. 

County Director of Medical Services Koome Muthuri said Sh23 million went to procurement of drugs, hospital and personal protective equipment (PPE).

“We set up two quarantine facilities at Kenya Medical Training Centre and Kangeta Level Four Hospital,” Dr Muthuri said.

Sh102 million

Out of the Sh102 million they received from the ministry, they committed Sh50 million in the last financial year.

Deputy governor Titus Ntuchiu said about Sh14 million was spent on renovating isolation centres, and more than Sh16 million on pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceuticals from Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa) and Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies.

 The county bought 200 beds from Gakoromone Jua Kali welders at Sh3.9 million, 3,020 water tanks at Sh3.3 million, and 115,000 reusable masks at Sh3.4 million.

“We’ve also procured another 130,000 face masks at Sh3.9 million from vocational training institutes through the Twaweza programme. Kitui County Textiles Centre supplied surgical masks worth Sh1 million,” said Mr Ntuchiu, who is also the finance executive. They also spent more than Sh5.5 million on preventive measures and public sensitisation.

In Tharaka-Nithi, the county allocated Sh10 million towards management of Covid-19 and received Sh39 million from the ministry.

Patient monitors

The Health Executive, Gichuiya Nthuraku, said they established screening points, 488 isolation centres, 14 ICU beds and bought PPEs. In Isiolo, out of the Sh16 million received from the national government, Sh15 million was spent on ICU beds, patient monitors and ventilators.

They have seven ICU beds and six at the High Dependency Unit (HDU). Mr Galma said the county also acquired seven more HDU beds to serve sub-county hospitals.

“Another Sh13 million allocated through a supplementary budget was spent on renovation of the Isiolo Referral Hospital Covid-19 treatment unit,” Mr Galma said.

They also acquired 141 beds for three quarantine centres and spent some cash on isolation wards as well as staff allowances.

Another Sh40 million went to procurement of PPEs, sanitisers, fumigation chemicals and relief food for the vulnerable.

Relief food

In Marsabit, they spent Sh60 million on ICU beds, equipment and PPEs. Deputy governor Solomon Gubo said they spent Sh5 million on PPEs and screening centres.

 “The ICU beds and equipment cost about Sh25 million,” Mr Gubo said. The county also received Sh28 million from the ministry. Another Sh180 million bought relief food for about 20,000 households affected by the pandemic.