Two officials from Mumias Level 4 Hospital in Kakamega County have been arrested for allegedly soliciting and accepting a bribe of Ksh 200,000. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) apprehended the suspects following an investigation into corrupt practices involving payments for medical equipment supplied to the hospital.
The individuals arrested are William Mmasava, a Supply Chain Officer, and Linet Kavaya, a Biomedical Engineer. They face allegations of demanding the bribe to facilitate the release of payment for an X-ray scanner legally delivered to the hospital. The medical equipment in question was valued at Ksh 1.4 million.
The investigation was prompted by a formal complaint lodged with the EACC earlier in May. According to the complaint, the hospital had agreed to pay for the X-ray scanner in three installments. The first payment of Ksh 500,000 was successfully made in mid-April.
However, trouble began when the supplier attempted to receive the second installment. On May 8, the Medical Superintendent of Mumias Hospital reportedly demanded a Ksh 400,000 bribe to release the next payment of Ksh 650,000. This demand was reinforced the following day during a meeting involving the hospital administrator.
Despite the supplier having already deposited the second installment into their bank account at KCB, access to these funds was withheld. Instead, the complainant started receiving persistent and coercive calls from the Medical Superintendent, the hospital administrator, and the two arrested officials. All four allegedly pressured the supplier to pay a bribe before allowing access to the funds.
In response to these allegations, the EACC launched an undercover operation on May 21. This operation led to the arrest of Mmasava and Kavaya at a KCB branch in Mumias as they accepted a bribe payment of Ksh 200,000. The suspects were subsequently taken to the EACC’s Western Regional Office in Bungoma for processing and were later booked at the Bungoma Police Station.
Currently, both officials remain in custody pending further investigations. The EACC continues to probe the matter to determine if additional hospital staff were involved in the corrupt scheme and to ensure accountability.
This case highlights ongoing challenges within public institutions regarding corruption and the misuse of funds intended for essential services. The hospital’s failure to release payments for critical medical equipment, despite the supplier fulfilling contractual obligations, undermines trust in healthcare delivery and may affect service provision.
Corruption not only delays vital medical infrastructure but also discourages suppliers from engaging with public health facilities, which ultimately impacts patient care. The demand for bribes to release legitimately owed payments puts suppliers in a difficult position and threatens the efficiency and integrity of public health procurement processes.
The involvement of high-ranking hospital officials in such corrupt practices raises concerns about governance and ethical standards within the health sector. It underscores the need for stricter oversight, transparency, and accountability mechanisms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission remains committed to rooting out corruption in all public institutions. Through timely investigations and decisive action, the EACC aims to protect public resources and uphold integrity in the delivery of government services.
As the investigation unfolds, more details may emerge about the extent of the corrupt network within the hospital. Meanwhile, the arrested officials face serious legal consequences if found guilty, including potential imprisonment and dismissal from public service.
This incident serves as a stern reminder to public officials that corruption will not be tolerated and that those involved in such illegal acts will be held accountable under the law. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activities to ensure continued transparency and good governance in the health sector and beyond.
