A Nairobi court has dismissed a case filed by a Nairobi County Assembly member against Governor Mike Sonko over the alleged loss of Sh 1.7 billion through irregular procurement of health services for staff.
While dismissing the petition, justice Hedwig Ong’udi ruled that the court has no jurisdiction to hear the matter.
“The petitioner ought to have followed the right procedures, being the dictates of the public procurement, asset disposal Act as well as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) before filing it in court. The petition is premature,” ruled Justice Ong’udi.
According to the judge further said that Peter Imwatok, Makongeni MCA and Assembly minority leader ought to have filed the petition with the right agencies.
Imwatok wanted the court to issue an order allowing an audit of the financial books of AAR Insurance Kenya and Bliss GVS Healthcare Limited for the financial years 2015/16, 2016/17, and 2017/18.
He further wanted the court to declare that Sonko, former county secretary Simon Morintat and former finance chief Veska Kangongo were unfit to hold office.
The MCA also wanted an order to have all funds paid to AAR Insurance Company with respect to the two extensions of 1st July, 2017 to 30th September, 2017 and 1st October, 2017 to 31st December, 2017 returned to the county.
He argued that the Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) irregularly authorized the release and payment of Sh1.7 billion from Nairobi City County accounts to the AAR.
He further indicated that county staff were receiving dismal healthcare services since AAR had sub-contracted Bliss GVS healthcare limited to offer services to county staff.
However, majority leader Abdi Guyo refuted the allegations as mere propaganda meant to taint the name of the Governor, and defended the awarding and payment of the tender saying that it followed the right procedure.
Guyo, who is also the Matopeni ward MCA further explained that AAR had been providing services for the last three years yet no red flag had been raised by Imwatok or any other member.
He also divulged that that the former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero used to pay the company quarterly which was more costly, hence the reason Sonko opted to pay for the entire financial year.
