Senator Musila tells Uhuru to sack Muraguri over Sh 5 billion scandal
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Kitui Senator David Musila (Centre) with Mwingi West MP Bernard Kitungi (left) and his Kitui East counterpart Marcus Muluvi (right) during a Wiper rally in Mwingi town on Friday (October 28, 2016). The leaders called for sacking of corrupt officials in health ministry over Sh 5 billion theft scandal. PHOTO | MWINGI TIMES
BY MWINGI TIMES REPORTER
A section of leaders from Kitui
County have vehemently condemned the recently revealed mega theft scandal in
the Ministry of Health and accused the Jubilee government of failing tame graft
within its systems.
The leaders said the recent
revelation of leaked audit of the Sh. 5 billion MoH scam was a clear indication
that corruption had taken root in the President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government.
They asked the Head of State to
move with speed and crack whip on top ministry officials suspected to have
stolen billions of shillings through diversion of funds, double payments of
goods and manipulation of Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS).
Senator David Musila, Mwingi West
MP Bernard Kitungi and his Kitui East counterpart Marcus Muluvi demanded that
Health Ministry Principal Secretary Dr Nicholas Muraguri to step aside to
provide leeway for investigations into the graft claims facing the docket.
They were speaking during a Wiper
Democratic Movement party rally at Musila Gardens in Mwingi town on Friday.
Senator Musila who is also the
Party chairman led other leaders in castigating the national government over
several graft scandals that have faced the Jubilee administration since it came
into power after the 2013 polls. While citing the example of the infamous Sh.
791 million National Youth Service (NYS), Mr. Musila said time had come for the
government act with seriousness on matters corruption to end embezzlement of
public funds by corrupt officials.
“Since the President had promised
to be in the forefront in the fight against, he should now act because scandals
have become the order of the day in his administration,” he said.
He called for prosecution of those
alleged to have been involved in the Afya House theft, adding that those found
culpable of stealing public funds should be compelled to return the money.
“The president should not only
suspend or take those involved to jail, but he should also ensure public money
that has been stolen is returned,” he said.
His sentiments were shared by Mr
Kitungi who demanded sacking of the top health ministry officials saying
corruption in the ministry had led to suffering of many Kenyans due to lack of
drugs and treatment facilities.
“It is very unfortunate that that a
lot of money is going to the pockets of few individuals who are miraculously
accruing wealth while there no drugs and maternity facilities in our hospitals,
health centres and dispensaries,” said the rather agitated lawmaker.
He questioned why the top officials
at the ministry would allow diversion of money meant to be used by the county
governments to aid the free maternity programme.
“The audit report has shown how
fraudulent our government officers are. This is unacceptable that money which
was misappropriated was supposed to have helped poor mothers and children get
access to affordable and quality maternal care,” Mr Kitungi said.
He advised the President to quickly
ensure that the spaces created in the prisons after he released by power of
mercy some 7,000 prisoners during the Mashujaa Day celebrations are filled by
top government officials accused of corruption. “If President Kenyatta is
serious about fighting corruption we must see the big fish going to jail
because we cannot tolerate the ongoing misuse of public money by the
government, “said Mr Kitungi.
Mr Muluvi called on the resignation
of ministry of Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu’s predecessor James
Macharia and the PS Dr Muraguri to pave way for investigations. He called for
sacking of the duo claiming that they had a hand in the loss of the shillings
adding that they should take responsibility over the mess.
MWINGI TIMES for timely and authoritative news.
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