Former Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) CEO Dr. Andrew Mulwa is at the center of yet another controversy as accusations of perjury emerge in a Ksh 31.5 million legal fees settlement dispute.
This new allegation only adds to the already murky legacy of KEMSA, which has been plagued by corruption and mismanagement scandals.
The claims against Mulwa, as shared by blogger Cyprian Is Nyakundi on his X handle, highlight the extent of the rot in public institutions.
The legal dispute revolves around a replying affidavit Dr. Mulwa filed on July 18, 2024, in which he allegedly denied a meeting between KEMSA representatives and lawyer Titus Makhanu.
The meeting, held on March 19, 2024, reportedly involved discussions on settling legal fees owed to Makhanu’s firm.
However, Makhanu has now accused Mulwa of deliberately misleading the court, claiming that evidence such as visitor logs and CCTV footage confirm the meeting took place.
An SMS from KEMSA’s Finance Officer, Christine Mwangi, also indicated that minutes from the meeting exist and are stored in the legal office.
The allegations of perjury against Dr. Mulwa have been formally reported to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) by Makhanu.
The lawyer is demanding an urgent investigation, as well as an official report to support his case in court.
Mulwa id likely to face criminal charges for lying under oath, a crime that could have severe legal consequences.
This legal battle follows Mulwa’s sacking from KEMSA after his alleged involvement in the failed Ksh 3.7 billion mosquito nets tender scandal.
During his tenure, Mulwa was accused of altering tender specifications, which led to massive losses and disrupted a key public health initiative.
Critics argue that his time as CEO reflects the broader issues within KEMSA, where poor leadership has resulted in repeated mismanagement of public resources.
Cyprian Is Nyakundi has been vocal about this case on his social media platforms, pointing out how such incidents erode public confidence in government institutions.
According to Nyakundi, this latest revelation about Dr. Mulwa is a reflection of how public officers often abuse their positions to enrich themselves while ignoring their responsibilities to the public.
He further notes that KEMSA’s scandals have far-reaching consequences, especially in a country struggling to provide basic healthcare services.
Dr. Mulwa’s case highlights the systemic challenges facing KEMSA, an organization that has repeatedly made headlines for corruption and inefficiency.
Under its leadership, billions in public funds have allegedly been lost through irregular procurement deals and inflated tenders.
This has not only tarnished KEMSA’s reputation but also jeopardized crucial health programs meant to benefit ordinary Kenyans.
The impact of these scandals is felt most by vulnerable communities that rely on affordable healthcare services.
KEMSA, tasked with supplying medical commodities, has instead become a symbol of greed and impunity.
Even as investigations into the mosquito nets scandal continue, this new case of perjury further underscores the need for accountability in public service.
Should Mulwa be convicted, his downfall will serve as a warning to others in positions of power. It will also shine a spotlight on the urgent need for reforms within KEMSA and similar institutions.
However, critics like Cyprian Is Nyakundi argue that unless there is a genuine commitment to transparency and ethical leadership, such scandals will continue to plague Kenya’s public sector.
This case is yet another example of how the misuse of public office has devastating effects on service delivery.
KEMSA’s inability to properly manage resources has led to the suffering of countless Kenyans, and the ongoing legal battles involving its former leaders only deepen the public’s frustration.
As investigations into Dr. Mulwa’s alleged perjury, the focus must also remain on reforming KEMSA to ensure that it fulfills its mandate without falling prey to corruption and inefficiency.
