I was wrongly dismissed-PS Mburu

Mburu was testifying before the Senate Health Committee, which is presided over by Senator Jackson Mandago of Uasin Gishu, to address claims of anomalies in KEMSA’s acquisition of long-lasting insecticidal nets.
The former PS said she was wrongfully terminated and demanded a fair hearing when testifying before the Committee on Tuesday, June 6.
“I was not a part of the procedure. I was informed that the new government had to carry on the procedure that had already begun. I think the personnel provided sound advice,” Mburu said.
“When I watched on television, it shocked me. I appreciate President Ruto allowing me to serve, and I won’t challenge him. But I want the truth to come out so that Kenyans can judge me if I had a part in this mess.” Mburu also made it clear that Medical Services, not Public Health, which she was in charge of, is in charge of overseeing KEMSA activities.
“Because it was outside of my ministry, I am unable to speak on the KEMSA board or its operations. KEMSA was under PS Tum; not under me. I was powerless to change what took place there. KEMSA is a part of the medical services department, which was managed by the former PS Tum before he was moved to another ministry,” Mburu claimed.
Mburu said that she began her tenure in government when the procurement process was getting started. A few weeks later, a member of her staff informed her of an error in an advertisement that was appearing in the daily newspapers. She claims that after seeking advice from Ministry specialists, she sent a letter to correct the errors.
“I wasn’t a part of the process when KEMSA released the mosquito net tendering advertisement into the public domain, that’s when the Head of Malaria program identified the inaccuracies. Because I was just providing clarification in my letter to KEMSA on the omissions, the tendering process was not halted.
A couple of weeks ago, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission began looking into possible anomalies in the selection of a bidder for KEMSA’s purchase of anti-mosquito nets. Detectives from EACC visited KEMSA offices to collect the necessary paperwork and other evidence for the investigation.
When former PS Susan Mochache left the position, her docket was divided between two state departments, notably the State Department of Medical Services under Peter Tum and the State Department of Health Standards and Professional Management under Josephine Mburu.
President William Ruto dismissed Dr. Josephine Mburu from her position as PS at the Ministry of Health’s State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards due to the incident involving the mosquito nets.
The President also revoked the appointments of the KEMSA Board of Directors’ Chairperson and Members, who were in charge of the problematic procurement procedure. PS Tum was amusingly transferred from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Sports.