The Health Ministry in Kenya has dismissed an exposé alleging that donor funds and equipment to help the country contain the spread of corona virus had been looted. Millions of dollars’ worth of donor funds and equipment have ‘disappeared’.

The BBC reports that a local television station in Kenya claims that it’s investigation found that more than a hefty $400 million worth of donations could not be accounted for. Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the country. Politicians are among those who had reportedly profited from contracts to supply the country’s medics with PPE, including medical masks and gowns. Further, according to the report, firms that won tenders were linked to relatives of high-ranking government officials. The investigation revealed that some of the companies awarded multi-million-dollar contracts had only been set up in recent months.

Kenya’s Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe, says the findings are fictitious. He claims that his ministry could account for more than $200 m worth of donations it had received. According to the investigation, however, double that amount could not be accounted for.

The investigation also claimed that donations received from a foundation run by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma had ‘disappeared’ after having been received by state officials. The BBC reports that these were then resold to the government at inflated prices.

Umm Muhammed Umar