Kenya: the fight against Covid-19 splashed by a corruption scandal

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3 min

In Kenya, as part of the fight against Covid-19, several hundred million dollars and medical equipment have reportedly been misappropriated. Several demonstrations were organized to protest against corruption in the country and pressure is mounting on President Kenyatta, while 25 NGOs, associations and unions signed, this Monday, August 24, a joint statement asking the Head of State to 'to act.

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With our correspondent in Nairobi , Sébastien Németh

Again this Monday, activists demonstrated in Kisumu, in the west of the country, to say "no" to corruption, especially when it concerns funds and equipment intended to fight against Covid-19.

The demonstrators insulted the head of state, accusing him of remaining silent, of letting it happen.

These moods are added to the press release signed on Monday by 25 organizations such as Amnesty International, various institutes, associations and unions to demand accountability.

The letter lists a whole series of shortcomings such as embezzlement, overbilling or the purchase of substandard equipment.

At the national medical equipment agency where the most serious embezzlement has been reported, several senior officials have been suspended for an investigation, but the 25 entities want more.

They require a full report on the bed occupancy rate, the equipment available, the staff deployed but also and above all the list of companies that have obtained contracts in the context of the fight against the epidemic. International partners are expected to unveil the support agreements signed with Kenya, the letter explains.

Finally, they ask President Kenyatta to address the nation to explain the measures taken to ensure transparency and ethics in the fight against the virus.

As often in Kenya, the case has been politicized. On Sunday, Vice President William Ruto accused the opposition of having used its rapprochement with President Kenyatta to obtain "  personal gains  " and defend corruption. After a criticized first reaction, even casting doubt on accusations of corruption around the coronavirus, the main opposition party - ODM - called for a full financial audit on Sunday.

► See also: Scandal in Kenya: the chairman of the Senate committee on Covid-19 has resigned

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• Kenya
• Coronavirus
• Corruption