Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) is on the spot again after plans to purchase more COVID-19 testing kits.
The move is in the midst of an inquiry into the irregular purchase of Sh7.8 billion coronavirus kits.
Through an advertisement, KEMSA now wants suppliers to place bids for the supply of Covid-19 health products.
“The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority on behalf of the Government of Kenya, Ministry of Health, invites sealed tender…for supply of Covid-19 Health Products III,” the Kemsa said in a notice to suppliers on Friday.
The suppliers have been asked to submit bids for tender GF ATM COVID-19 RESPONSE-2021/22-OIT-01 on or before February 10, 2022. The tender closes at 10am.
The agency is issuing the tender under the category of Global Fund for the supply of unidentified Covid-19 goods.
In addition, Kemsa issued a separate tender for the acquisition of oxygen cylinders and bulk liquid oxygen for the treatment of patients financed by the Agence Francaise De Développement (AFD).
Following the procurement debacle in which Kemsa purchased protective gear at inflated prices when the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in March 2020, Kenyans are likely to be skeptical of the new Covid-19 kits.
In a procurement that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) highlighted as irregular and recommended prosecution against several officials, Kemsa paid Sh6.3 billion for Covid-19 emergency equipment.
According to a special audit conducted by Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu, Kemsa could lose Sh2.33 billion if the products detained in its warehouses are sold at current market prices.
