Nakuru police arrest 4 protesting against theft of Covid-19 funds

Four activists were on Monday morning arrested during a protest by Nakuru residents to pressure the government to arrest those involved in stealing Covid-19 funds.

Police accused the four, Vincent Tanui, John Onyang’o, John Otingo and David Towet of leading an illegal demonstration by hundreds of protesters who marched from the Railways area towards the Rift Valley Coordinator George Natembeya’s office.

The police claimed that the demonstration was carried out against the Covid-19 regulations which are meant to prevent further spread of the deadly disease.

The protesters were demanding for accountability of the Covid-19 funds when anti-riot police arrived.

They carried placards with various messages condemning the alleged theft of the funds. One of the placards read “Arrest Covid-19 funds thieves”.

Threat to withdraw funds

The alleged misappropriation of the funds in the country has resulted in two key donors threatening to withdraw funds running to billions of shillings earmarked for Kenya.

The latest Covid-19 scandal has been linked to a State organisation, the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency.

The protesters asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to address the nation on the alleged misappropriation of the funds meant to fight the pandemic.

The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders said there has been lack of transparency and accountability on the Covid-19 funds, including those from donor funds.

Led by Mr David Kuria, the lobbyists demanded that the National Treasury to publish detailed expenditure information on all funds advanced for Covid-19 response efforts through donations, donor grants, loans and salary cuts for civil servants.

Arrests condemned

Mr Kuria condemned the arrests of the four protestors, saying it was illegal and that the demonstration was peaceful.

“It is disturbing how Kenyans are suffering while the aid funds that could have cushioned them continue to rest in a few individuals’ pockets,” Mr Kuria said angrily.

Meanwhile, Mr Kemunche Masese, the manager at the Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance (CEDGG) warned that failure by the government to address the matter will lead to human rights defenders and other Kenyans to join healthcare workers, who have issued a strike notice, to conduct a countrywide demonstration to push for action.

“The healthcare workers have continued to suffer under the government’s watch as some die while others are badly exposed to the virus. We are not going to rest until legal action is taken against those thieves who have enriched themselves from reliefs and loans meant to fight the pandemic,” he said.

Funds allocations

Midrift Human Rights Network Executive Director Joseph Omondi took issue with allocation of health funds by the national government to counties.

Mr Omondi said despite health being devolved, a bigger percentage of funds remains at the ministry, leaving counties strained in provision of healthcare.

The civil society groups also demanded that government agencies publish names of companies and individuals who were awarded tenders to procure medical supplies.

In Kisumu, activists Monday called for the resignation of President Uhuru Kenya over the theft of Covid-19 funds.

The activist held protests in the streets of Kisumu town.

They demanded to know the beneficiaries of the Covid-19 funds.

The protesters waved placards and chanted slogans as they marched along Odinga Oginga Street and called for investigations into the loss of funds allocated to counties for Covid-19 preparedness.

The group later converged at the Kisumu County Commissioner Susan Waweru’s office at Property House.

They accused the government of failing to act against individuals suspected of engaging in corrupt dealings.

The protests dubbed #ArrestCovid-19Thieves demanded that Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe and the National Treasury publish detailed information on how the Covid-19 funds were spent.

Led by Boniface Akach, an official of Kondele Community Social Justice Centre, the activists demanded for action against companies and beneficiaries linked to the Covid-19 funds scandal. 

Prosecute culprits

"We are demanding the individuals who stole the money be prosecuted, not to be transferred or resign from office. All government agencies must publish the names of companies that were awarded the tenders to supply Covid-19 related materials," said Mr Akach.

The activists asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene and ensure investigations are conducted.

"In his second term, President Kenyatta promised zero tolerance to corruption yet in his government there are so many cases of corruption that are yet to be prosecuted," said Mr Ojiro.