According to activist Morara Kebaso, former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua allegedly misappropriated public funds meant for healthcare facilities. Kebaso has drawn attention to troubling financial records suggesting Gachagua diverted Ksh 9.4 million intended for bedsheets at Nyeri County Referral Hospital to his own company, Wamunyoro Investments Limited, where he and his wife serve as sole directors.
In a post he shared X, the transaction, which reportedly took place on February 18, 2015, left the hospital account with just Sh5, effectively emptying funds that were meant to provide essential supplies for patient care.
Prominent activist Morara Kebaso has been particularly vocal in criticizing these alleged actions, calling them “a direct attack on the most vulnerable members of society.” Kebaso, who has consistently advocated for accountability in public office, points to this case as part of a bigger pattern of corruption that has undermined Kenya’s healthcare system.
“When money designated for hospital bedsheets disappears into private accounts, it’s not just about missing funds it’s about patients suffering in unsanitary conditions while officials enrich themselves,” Kebaso posted on X.
The paper trail suggests the funds were initially awarded to Upperdeck Agencies for supplying linen to Nyeri County hospitals. However, financial records indicate the entire amount was subsequently transferred to Wamunyoro Investments Limited. Kenya Revenue Authority documents further complicated the picture, showing connections between these companies and individuals linked to Gachagua.
Beyond this specific incident, evidence points to a wider network of potentially corrupt dealings. Gachagua’s company, Rapid Medical Supplies, has also come on the spotlight for similar transactions involving public funds. While specific evidence regarding an alleged Ksh 47 million for medical supplies remains inconclusive, financial investigators have noted concerning patterns in how contracts were awarded and funds were disbursed.
The scale of the alleged corruption is staggering, with financial analysts estimating that over Sh12 billion passed through accounts connected to Gachagua during a seven-year period. The Asset Recovery Agency has been tracking these funds, discovering that approximately Sh7.3 billion was withdrawn and distributed among various companies, with substantial sums ultimately finding their way back to Wamunyoro Investments Limited.
Morara Kebaso has emphasized that these allegations represent more than isolated incidents. “What we’re seeing is a systematic approach to corrupting public procurement processes,” Kebaso explained.
The hospital bedsheets scandal is just one visible symptom of a much deeper problem affecting our institutions. According to Morara, least 42 different business entities connected to these transactions, creating a labyrinthine financial structure that has hindered accountability efforts.
For the patients at Nyeri County Referral Hospital, these allegations have real-world implications. Healthcare workers at the facility have long complained about shortages of basic supplies, forcing many patients to bring their own bedding or go without. This situation creates serious hygiene concerns in a setting where cleanliness is essential for preventing infections and ensuring proper recovery.
Political connections and procedural complexities have created obstacles for investigators attempting to follow the money trail.
Kebaso and other activists continue pushing for accountability, arguing that the healthcare sector must be protected from such exploitation. “Every shilling diverted from hospitals represents a betrayal of public trust,” Kebaso noted.
“We cannot build a functioning healthcare system when resources meant for patients end up in private pockets,” said.
The allegations against Gachagua serve as a reminder that financial misconduct in healthcare has consequences far beyond the balance sheet, directly affecting the quality of care available to citizens when they are most vulnerable.
This comes as opposition leaders led by Rigathi Gachagua and others gathering at Wamunyoro residence for a political event.
