Gathungu flags irregular Sh650m phone purchases for community health workers
Kenya's Auditor-General has flagged the irregular procurement of mobile phones for community health promoters, noting the purchase was not included in the ministry's annual plan. The Sh650 million project aims to digitize healthcare data, but the lack of procedural compliance has raised accountability concerns.
Why it matters
This report highlights issues of fiscal transparency and adherence to procurement laws in government-led digital health initiatives.
The Auditor-General has flagged the purchase of Sh650million mobile phones for community health promoters (CHPs) without inclusion in the approved 2024/25 annual procurement plan of the Health ministry.
CHPs are trained community members who serve as a link between the community and formal health facilities. Often travelling on foot or by motorcycle, they conduct home visits, provide health education, support disease surveillance and facilitate referrals, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
According to the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, all government purchases must be included in an approved annual procurement plan before the procurement process can begin.
However, in the audit report for the financial year ending June 30, 2025, Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu found that this requirement had not been met, raising concerns over compliance with procurement law and accountability.
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