Pulse logo
Pulse Region

Details emerge on alleged fight between Kemri and Influenza Centre over Coronavirus funds

Arm-twisting Treasury by delaying test results
Details emerge on alleged fight between Kemri, Influenza Centre over Coronavirus funds
Details emerge on alleged fight between Kemri, Influenza Centre over Coronavirus funds

Details have emerged highlighting an alleged corporate war between Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) and the National Influenza Centre over Coronavirus funds.

The two government institutions are battling for the lion's share of Sh6 billion which was donated by the World Back to assist in the fight against Covid-19.

Insiders told Nation that Kemri has been dragging its feet with testing in an attempt to swing the scales in its favour.

Also Read: CS Kagwe put on the spot for firing top Kemri scientist

Recommended For You
Lifestyle
2025-03-18T12:40:12+00:00
Rachel Ruto is no stranger to making bold yet elegant fashion statements, but during the state visit of the Dutch royals on March 18, 2025, it wasn’t just her outfit that stood out—it was her shoes. The Kenyan First Lady stepped out in a pair of brown suede block heels adorned with a gold emblem.
The Sh83K shoes that completed Rachel Ruto’s State Visit look
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) head office in Nairobi, Kenya. (Facebook).

Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) head office in Nairobi, Kenya. (Facebook).

"We have the machines and the capacity and can do the tests as compared to others. Why is the interest shifting to the influenza centre, which has been lying idle for lack of funding, yet Kemri has for years been mandated to do research in the country?" an official from Kemri posed.

National Influenza Centre responds

Initially, the government was relying on the National Influenza Centre to test for Covid-19 but with a higher demand for testing, Kemri was brought on board to fast-track the process.

NIC officials have suggested that Kemri only joined the process for the funds involved.

"This is not about the mismanagement of funds. This is typically about the money that is yet to be released for Covid-19 testing," an NIC official stated insisting that Covid-19 falls squarely in their docket.

Insiders have also alleged that Virus Research Director Dr Joel Lutomiah was demoted by Health CS Mutahi Kagwe after he refused to cooperate with tenderpreneurs.

CS Kagwe, however, told Senate: "The circumstances under which he was transferred are known to the chief executive. This is politics, not management issues. I've never seen issues of management making it to the front pages."

Subscribe to receive daily news updates.