I wasn't aware of Gachagua’s involvement in Ksh.3.7B KEMSA tender, Nakhumicha tells MPs

Appearing before the Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations committee Nakhumicha was questioned about procurement irregularities reported at the Ministry of Health when she served as Cabinet Secretary. 

Here, Belgut MP Nelso Koech asked Nakhumicha whether she was aware of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s involvement in a Ksh.3.7 billion tender to procure mosquito nets for the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA). 

During his impeachment in October 2024, Gachagua was accused of, among other charges, abusing his executive powers to solicit the Sh3.7 billion mosquito net tender in favour of his two sons. 

According to Nakhumicha, she learned of the former DP’s involvement in the procurement irregularity during his impeachment proceedings. At this time, the UN envoy nominee had been dismissed from cabinet. 

“With the information that I was given, his involvement was not there. I got to learn of his involvement when the House was going through the impeachment process. That is how I got to learn that most likely he had been,” Nakhumicha told the parliamentary committee. 

The former CS noted that during her tenure at Afya House, the 56-day doctors’ strike was one of her hardest tackles admitting failure to contain the industrial action on time. She recalls having sleepless nights. 

“I will take them as occupational hazards, and even in this job that I am taking, I am sure other issues might come up. I am happy to deal with them when they do,” she said.