EACC probes Cleopa Mailu over Health ministry scandal

The anti-corruption agency on Thursday grilled Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu on the loss of funds in his ministry.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating allegations that there was double payment for goods and the money cannot be accounted for.

The allegations pointing to a loss of Sh5 billion are contained in an internal audit report that has been discredited by the ministry.

SH3 BILLION

Mr Mailu told reporters outside Integrity Centre that he had given detectives all the requested information and that he was waiting for the outcome of investigations.

The CS, who appeared before the commission shortly after 9am and left a few minutes to 2pm, said he responded to all the questions.

He had been summoned by the commission to give his side of the story on the alleged theft.

The ministry recently said the amount whose expenditure could not be explained was Sh3 billion, not Sh5 billion.

GIVEN DOCUMENTS

The minister said he had also given the detectives documents that they could study to get answers.

“They went through all the issues they wanted, I provided them with answers where I could,” Mr Mailu said.

The EACC has been grilling a number of key officials in the ministry who might have been involved in the transactions that led to the scandal.

Already, the head of internal audit, the head of accounts and Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri have been interrogated.

Also lined up for questioning are head of finance Peter Odundo, former head of procurement Ephantus Thigah, head of procurement Peter Mwangi, former head of accounts Peter Macharia and Kenya Medical Supplies Agency

CEO John Munyu.