The scandal involving Leonard Njeru Muriuki’s corruption over the Sh433 million KNH oxygen plant project has brought attention to Kenya’s problematic procurement system and sparked new worries about political favouritism and accountability in important public projects.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Currently, the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is promoting Muriuki, a little-known businessman turned politician, as a front-runner for the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election. However, records and reports now connect him to one of the most expensive and scandalous procurement errors at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), the nation’s largest referral hospital.
The Failure of the Sh433 Million Oxygen Plant
Muriuki Njeru’s company, Biomax Africa Limited, was controversially awarded a Sh433 million tender by the Ministry of Health in 2022. The contract included the design, acquisition, installation, testing, and commissioning of an estimated 8,000 LPM medical oxygen plant.
Everything appeared normal on paper. The equipment’s compliance with all technical requirements was even confirmed by a pre-shipment inspection in France. However, the plant only produced 2,800 LPM when it was installed at KNH, a significant deficit that prevented the hospital from meeting oxygen demands.
As a result of the plant’s poor performance, KNH was forced to keep buying oxygen from outside suppliers, spending more than Sh168 million on liquid oxygen between July 2023 and February 2024.
Additionally, the hospital had to pay Sh100 million for a transformer and generator, which were initially supposed to be covered by the contractor. Furthermore, the inefficiency of the oxygen plant more than doubled operating costs, increasing KNH’s electricity bill by Sh500 million a year.
Instead of saving lives during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, this project has ended up costing taxpayers money.
According to investigators, Biomax Africa submitted fabricated paperwork to obtain the lucrative contract. The Ministry of Health’s tender evaluation committee, which was led by Principal Secretary Susan Mochache at the time, was flagged by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for neglecting to perform fundamental due diligence.
Procurement laws were allegedly ignored, according to the EACC report, which raises concerns about whether influential insiders had any influence over the entire process. Even the KNH Board of Management tried to voice concerns during a meeting in December 2024, but Evanson Kamuri, the CEO of the hospital, rejected their right to look into procurement contracts.
The political star of Leonard Njeru Muriuki is still rising despite the scandal. Muriuki, who goes by the social media handle “Leo Wa Muthende”, is being considered for a direct UDA nomination ticket in the next Mbeere North mini-polls. Although at least twelve candidates have shown interest, party insiders say he is the front-runner.
President William Ruto’s UDA and the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), led by his estranged former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, are expected to face off in the by-election. According to analysts, the contest will serve as a barometer of Ruto’s support in Mount Kenya, particularly as influential local politicians like Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire offer their opinions.
A Reflection of the Governance Issues in Kenya
Critics see the Leonard Njeru Muriuki corruption scandal as involving more than one unsuccessful project. Deeper governance shortcomings are reflected in this, as politically connected people are protected from accountability despite the waste of billions of taxpayer dollars.
The purpose of the KNH oxygen plant was to ensure the hospital’s independence in producing medical oxygen. The largest referral facility in Kenya remains reliant on expensive private vendors, and the public is paying for a project that could have saved lives and reduced expenses.
The scandal raises an awkward question as UDA considers directly nominating Leonard Njeru Muriuki: Should those involved in high-level corruption scandals be rewarded with political advancement? For Kenyans, this case emphasises how urgently accountability and reform are needed in the acquisition of vital public projects.
