The decision by the US government to cancel twenty one millions dollar aid to the Kenyan government is commendable. US ambassador to Kenya Robert Codec said the decision has been prompted by massive corruption scandals that have rocked the health ministry. According to Codec, millions of donor funding cannot be accounted for. In a statement issued to the ministry of health, the US envoy said the move to halt further aid was to ensure health care spending reached those in need as well as guarantee protection of US taxpayer money.
Corruption rampant in Kenya
In October 2016, there were reports that over five billion Kenyan shillings had been siphoned from the ministry of health. The Kenyan government however failed to launch any investigations into the allegations. Instead it chose to absolve senior ministry officials including the Cabinet Secretary from any wrongdoing. It also emerged that whistle blowers were being threatened or intimidated.
US government funding anti-Malaria program
The US government has for decades funded programs aimed at combating Malaria, malnutrition and HIV in Kenya. Due to the inability of the Kenyan government to account for the millions of donor fund, the decision by the US government to stop any further donations is welcome.
Being the electioneering year, there are allegations some prominent personalities within the government are channeling state resources to political campaigns as the country gears for August 8th general elections.
Despite persistent outcry by opposition party and other whistle blowers, the Kenyan government has remained silent on cases of massive corruption within state agencies. Reports of medical equipment being tendered or purchased at exorbitant charges have also been swept under the carpet.
Doctors have not been paid
In the beginning of 2017, doctors and nurses went on the longest strike in Kenya's history as a result of the government's failure to implement the 2013 collective bargain agreement.
In retaliation the Kenyan governments arrested and prosecuted doctors' union officials. Despite doctors calling off the 100 days strike, the government has to this day failed to pay the pending doctors' salaries resulting in go slow in many public hospitals countywide.
Kenya’s ministry of health is not the only state agency engulfed in runaway corruption. In July 2016, Kenya's auditor general alleged the ministry of Devolution had squandered an estimated one billion Kenyan shillings in irregular allocations and tendering. The money had been allocated for youth empowerment and slum upgrading program. Surprisingly, to this day not one individual implicated in the scandal has been arraigned in court despite recommendations by the Parliament committee.