Sigiri bridge in Busia county. It caved in on June 26, 2017. [Photo/Standard]
The year 2017 has been full of scandals that hit Kenyans hard.
The following are probably the biggest scams that will take long before being forgotten by Kenyans.
1. Simple Homes scandal
The Simple Homes Housing Co-operative was a firm that promised prospective members some affordable mortgages on property. It however turned out to be the biggest real estate cheat in the country.
It promised potential homeowners a low-cost model of buying a home under an alleged Islamic financing product dubbed Musharakah.Here, prospective homeowners would co-own the houses with a sacco without them being charged interest until the complete repayment of the loan.
Kenyans lost about Sh500 million just like that!
2. Police medical cover scheme
A Sh18 billion medical cover for police officers was proposed by parliament after a review of deplorable conditions they lived in.
The deal had several players, but AAR were the lead insurer and AON Minet the administrator. Others were Jubilee Insurance and UAP Insurance.
It came to prove Kenyans were wrong again.
3. Sigiri bridgeThe Sh1.2 billion bridge was constructed in Budalangi after Kenya Urban Roads Authority awarded the Chinese contractor China Overseas Engineering Company (COVEC)the tender.
The bridge collapsed.
COVEC however undertook to construct it afresh to save face.
4. Cholera outbreak during international trade conference
Kenya's Industrialisation CS Adan Mohammed, Treasury CS Henry Rotich and Trade Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo were reportedly admitted after a cholera outbreak. Reports said they were taken ill after taking food served during the Kenya Trade Week conference at the KICC in Nairobi between July 10-12.
Over 50 other delegates at the conference were also affected.
The catering company offering services during the event was blacklisted and a named hotel closed for some period.