The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), a powerful lobby group representing the interests of over 400 business associations and corporates, is pushing for the expulsion of firms implicated in the theft of COVID-19 funds, from its membership.
This move comes amidst widespread allegations that some private firms and state operatives in the healthcare supply chains, may have diverted funds meant for supply of medicine and Personal Protective Equipment, intended for COVID-19 patients and health workers.
“We urge the government to undertake an urgent, independent and transparent audit of the use of all COVID funds raised, including those raised under the aegis of the KEPSA-supported COVID-19 Fund Board, to ensure those found culpable of misuse are brought to book,” said Mrs Carole Karuga, KEPSA CEO in a statement.
KEPSA is also appealing to its membership to expel any companies or individuals found to be involved in the embezzlement of COVID-19 funds.
The lobby has rolled out a Code of Ethics for Business, a self-regulatory framework, that will allow its members to deal with errant firms or individuals.
It is also pushing for amendments to the Public Procurement and Disposal Act (PPDA) Regulations to include a stipulation that the government only does business with those companies that have signed the Code of Ethics for Business.
KEPSA wants mandatory online publishing of prices of goods that the government procures; and also an online publication of the procurement process for all products, services and projects undertaken by the state.
Figures indicate that the COVID-19 Fund has so far raised KSh 3 Billion from corporates, foundations, religious institutions, multinationals and Kenyans to bolster the government’s war on the virus.
The COVID-19 Fund Board is an entirely separate entity from the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund and does not deal with the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
All funds raised by the COVID-19 Fund Board, where KEMSA sits, have been used to purchase PPE and masks are fully accountable.
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