The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is on the spot after questions emerged regarding the Sh2.28 billion, irregular hiring of staff and failing to account for donor funds.
In a letter dated November 11,2022 to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Investigative agencies through their union, senior staff want answers on how the management used the funds.
The letter states that since July 2019, the institution received Sh2.28billion for staff allowance but has not been remitted to the workers.
“The union’s concern is that to date, the KEMRI management cannot account for Sh2.28billion. Our request for the status and whereabouts of these funds from the Kemri director general has never been responded to,” the letter reads.
“The management’s failure to account for the monies is against the Public Finance Management Act of 2012, which provides that government resources must be used in a way that is lawful, authorized, effective, efficient, economical, and transparent,” the letter adds.
The employees allege the institution received Sh473million from the National Treasury for payment of staff risk and extraneous allowances and for 38 months which was not paid.
They further claim that the institution cannot account for donor fundings estimated at Sh1.2billion.
The funds are claimed to have been misused by a senior officer who is also accused of mismanaging an imprest of Sh12million as per an internal audit report.
“This is likely to affect research programs at KEMRI which heavily rely on donor funding,” the letter states.
The letter also idisclosed illegal promotion and appointment of officers at the institution.
“The union is aware that the KEMRI board and management promoted an officer to the position of deputy director, a position that was not vacant. This is an example of abuse of office by some senior managers.”
“It is important to note that after the advertisement of the vacancy of the same post, the said officer was the only applicant hence lack of competition in filling the same post,” the letter adds.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumincha however told a local media station that she is aware of the issues and that she had held meetings with the two principal secretaries in the ministry to look into the allegations.
