A confidential whistleblower complaint has lifted the lid on what is alleged to be a well-oiled bribery racket inside the Ministry of Health, implicating senior officials, junior operatives, and a controversial health equipment procurement under a donor-funded programme involving Amref Health Africa.
At the centre of the explosive claims is Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, who the whistleblower alleges uses junior officers as conduits to solicit and collect bribes from suppliers seeking access to lucrative government-backed health equipment tenders.
The Sh2 Million Payoff
According to the complaint dated May 2, 2025, and submitted to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), three junior MoH staff — Nancy, Kipkerich, and Esther — allegedly received Sh2 million in cash at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Arboretum on the same day an AMREF procurement advertisement appeared in national newspapers.
The money, the whistleblower claims, was allegedly shared as follows:
- Sh1 million earmarked for PS Mary Muthoni
- Sh300,000 each retained by the three officials
- Sh100,000 allegedly set aside for Nicholas Odipo and Nyakundi, described in the letter as internal “protectors” tasked with shielding the trio from scrutiny
“Afya House has been notified several times, but no action has been taken,” the whistleblower writes, explaining the decision to escalate the matter directly to the DCI.
Procurement Fixed, Counties Sidelined
The allegations are tied to the Oxygen Support Project, a flagship initiative involving the Ministry of Health, the Council of Governors, and Amref Health Africa, aimed at strengthening oxygen infrastructure and critical care services across all 47 counties.
However, the whistleblower claims the procurement process was deliberately manipulated.
The complaint alleges that equipment specifications were altered to favour Fuji biochemistry equipment supplied by Science Scope, effectively locking out competing suppliers and undermining value for money.
“The specifications were developed by counties in three consultative meetings,” the letter states. “But one individual, Kipkerich, later changed them unilaterally and openly bragged that nothing would happen because they are protected by the PS.”
Audio Evidence and ‘Protection’ Claims
In a dramatic twist, the whistleblower urges investigators to contact Chetan, who is said to possess an audio recording capturing the alleged bribery negotiations.
“He recorded the entire conversation,” the complaint claims, warning that donor funds are being misused and predicting counties may reject equipment procured without their participation.
The letter also accuses Odipo and Nyakundi of acting without mandate, alleging they routinely write complaints and influence decisions while representing no recognised body within the health sector.
A Bigger Power Struggle at the Ministry
Beyond the procurement scandal, insiders paint a picture of a ministry gripped by internal resistance to reform.
Multiple sources allege that PS Muthoni has deliberately stalled the full operationalisation of the National Public Health Institute (NPHI), an agency expected to independently manage public health functions and budgets.
“Public health has been her cash cow,” said one insider. “Once NPHI is independent, she loses control over budgets and donor programmes.”
The insider further alleges that development partners have been pressured to pay bribes, including within Neglected Tropical Diseases programmes, and that funds meant for Community Health Promoters (CHPs) were allegedly targeted for cuts to meet illicit demands.
Calls for Immediate Action
The whistleblower has called on Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to launch a comprehensive investigation into the named individuals, warning that failure to act risks normalising corruption within donor-funded health programmes.
“These are not isolated incidents,” the complaint states. “This is now a system.”
All allegations remain unproven and subject to investigation. At the time of publication, the Ministry of Health and the individuals named had not issued official responses.
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