Health Cabinet Secretary Dr Cleopa Mailu has dismissed claims that firms named in the Sh5 billion alleged scandal at the ministry were favoured, following revelations that some are owned by individuals related to the President.
Mailu on Sunday said that all Kenyans have a right to transact business with the government unless there is a direct conflict of interest as clearly stipulated by law.
“As far as I am concerned anybody can transact business with any institution as long as there is no conflict of interest, and I have looked at the Public Ethics Act, I have looked at the Integrity Act of the Public Servants the extent to which we can define conflict of interest, those people who are doing business with the ministry they have a right to do so and I don’t see a conflict of interest,” said Mailu.
Mailu was responding to questions from reporters that some of the companies associated with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s relatives or close friends were favoured in getting lucrative deals at the ministry.
Some of the companies include Sundales International Limited whose Managing Director Kathleen Kihanya, a cousin to President Uhuru, admitted receiving Sh41 million for supplies contract.
Deputy President William Ruto, who spoke at a public function separately, also defended President Kenyatta’s sister saying she had every right to transact business with the government.