The government intention to procure locally manufactured hospital beds from two young entrepreneurs in Githunguri, Kiambu County ran into headwinds after it emerged that one of the men was facing several criminal allegations and fraud charges.
PDU Update on The Githunguri Beds. Pictures: https://t.co/2vvbOSOjvd pic.twitter.com/jsp6erXNTL
— Government Delivery Services (@GDSDelivery) January 25, 2021
The revelations were made even as a visit to the workshop where the innovators claim to have been making and storing beds that have allegedly left them wallowing in debts showed little activity with only a single ready bed in sight.
The President’s Delivery Unit (PDU) Secretary Andrew Wakahiu revealed that the government faced challenges processing the offer to procure the beds after obtaining intelligence that Mungai Gathogo, 26, was facing at least three cases related to fraud and obtaining money by pretence.
Speaking in Githunguri, Mr. Wakahiu who was flanked by Gathogo further revealed that wrangles around the ownership of the firm that had first claimed to have been behind the beds further informed the government reluctance to process the offer.
“After we visited and made the offer, then vicious arguments on the control and management of the company between the two innovators and a man who claimed to be the real owner of the firm and that he had only contracted the duo to help market the beds emerged,” Mr. Wakahiu said.
Kiambu women rep Gathoni wa Muchomba accused PDU of lies.
Yesterday i offered to mediate btwn Githunguri Youths with PDU over the botched ICU beds promise.
However, the Arrogance and sheer contempt potrayed by the Head of PDU was evidence of their non-commitment. Branding our youths as Conmen to mess them is unacceptable!#PDUIsAScam. pic.twitter.com/n1kEuNc4SJ— Hon.Gathoni Wamuchomba, HSC, MP (@hon_wamuchomba) January 26, 2021
But many Kenyans are asking the youths to show the beds that they took loans and made.
Can we see the beds? Where are the beds? Mungai Gathogo said Wakahiu took them to the numerical machining complex and to KEBS after which he borrowed 3 million shillings and hired 60 people to make the beds.
Before shouting #PDUIsAScam can we see the beds please?
— Polycarp Hinga 🇰🇪 (@PolycarpHinga) January 26, 2021
