Suspended KEMSA CEO Fails to Attend Senate Hearing
From @SenateKE
The Joint Meeting of the Committee on Health and the Ad Hoc Committee on COVID-19, which was set to begin investigating the alleged procurement irregularities at Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) recorded a false start after suspended CEO, Jonah Manjari failed to honour summons to appear.
The Committee co-chaired by Senators Michael Mbito and Sylvia Kasanga recorded strong reservations with regards to a last-minute and vaguely drafted letter signed by Dr John Ngigi, a Senior Director at KNH’s Prime Care Centre alleging that Manjari had been admitted to the facility.
While we cannot ascertain the authenticity of this correspondence, we wish to offer some reprieve to Dr Manjari, if he has indeed been taken ill. I direct that he presents a formal letter from the CEO of Kenyatta National Hospital to the Clerk of the Senate by 2.00pm today. — Senator Michael Mbito
Section 19 of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act provides “Where a witness summoned does not appear, or appears but fails to satisfy the relevant House of Parliament or committee, the relevant House or Committee may impose upon the witness such fine, not KES 500,000.” Article 125(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, further bequeaths Houses of Parliament or their Committees powers equal to those of the High Court to enforce attendance of witnesses.
The Joint Committee offered reassurances to the country that it will, in the fullness of time, judiciously prosecute the multi-billion Covid-19 scandal as it not only puts the well-being of Kenyans at stake but also threatens withdrawal of crucial donor funding for disease control.
