By Anderson Ojwang
A storm has erupted over the procurement of a Sh220 million state-of-the-art DNA/PCR molecular diagnostic equipment installed at the County Molecular Laboratory at Migori County Referral Hospital.
While Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko has credited his administration with acquiring the equipment, Uriri MP Mark Nyamita has challenged the claim, alleging that the equipment was donated through support from development partners.
Nyamita has demanded that the county government produce procurement records to establish how the equipment was acquired and whether public funds were used in its purchase.
Governor Ayacko recently said Migori was the first county in Western Kenya to install the advanced diagnostic equipment, describing it as a major milestone for healthcare in the region.
“In the entire Western Kenya region, it is only my administration that has been able to procure a state-of-the-art DNA/PCR Molecular Diagnostic Equipment which is installed at our County Molecular Laboratory at Migori County Referral Hospital. The equipment is worth KSh220 million,” Ayacko wrote.
Nyamita Raises Questions
In a rejoinder, Nyamita challenged the governor to provide evidence supporting the claim that the county government procured the equipment.
“Governor Ochilo Ayacko has claimed that his administration purchased the Sh220 million DNA/PCR Molecular Diagnostic Equipment installed at Migori County Referral Hospital.
“Available records indicate that the equipment was acquired through support from KEMRI/CDC and development partners, and was already at the facility before the current administration took office,” Nyamita wrote.
The MP questioned whether the subsequent commissioning and operationalisation of the equipment was being presented as a procurement by the county government.
According to Nyamita, the equipment had already been acquired before the current administration took office and was later commissioned in January 2024.
“When the machine was commissioned in January 2024, the Governor himself acknowledged the role of donors, the national government, hospital management and development partners in making the equipment operational,” he said.
Ayacko Defends Investment
Ayacko has described the installation and operationalisation of the equipment as a major achievement for his administration and a significant step in improving healthcare services in Migori.
He said the acquisition of the technology marked a pivotal turning point in his commitment to providing high-quality healthcare to residents.
“This tremendous investment in advanced diagnostic technology enables us to further enhance our diagnostic capabilities and improve patient outcomes in our county and the entire Western Kenya region,” he wrote.
The governor also described the DNA/PCR molecular diagnostic equipment as a game-changer in modern medicine.
“By utilising the power of DNA analysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, this sophisticated equipment provides us with unparalleled accuracy and efficiency in diagnosing various diseases, including infectious diseases, genetic disorders, and even forensic analysis,” he wrote.
Where Is the Procurement Record?
Nyamita, however, wants the county government to substantiate the Sh220 million procurement claim.
“If the Sh220 million was indeed spent by your administration to purchase this equipment, where is the procurement record? Where is the tender? Where is the payment evidence? And where did the Sh220 million come from?” he asked.
The Uriri MP said he welcomed investments aimed at improving healthcare but insisted that public resources must be accounted for transparently.
“We welcome every investment that improves healthcare in Migori. But public leadership must be anchored in truth, accountability and proper attribution of public resources,” he said.
Nyamita further argued that equipment obtained through donations or development-partner support should not be presented as a purchase by the county government.
“A donated asset cannot become a government purchase simply because it was later commissioned or operationalised. The people deserve the truth. Facts must prevail,” he said.
The Question
At the centre of the emerging dispute is a straightforward question: Was the Sh220 million DNA/PCR molecular diagnostic equipment purchased by the Migori County Government, or was it acquired through donor and development-partner support before being commissioned by the county?
The answer could be established through procurement documents, tender records, payment records, acquisition agreements and other official documentation relating to the equipment.
Until such records are made public, questions will remain over who financed the equipment and whether the Sh220 million figure represents an actual expenditure by the county government or the value of equipment provided through external support.
For residents of Migori, the dispute is therefore not only about who should take credit for the equipment, but also about transparency, accountability and the proper attribution of public investments.
Where Is the Truth Behind Migori’s Sh220 Million DNA/PCR Equipment Procurement?
By Anderson Ojwang
A storm has erupted over the procurement of a Sh220 million state-of-the-art DNA/PCR molecular diagnostic equipment installed at the County Molecular Laboratory at Migori County Referral Hospital.
While Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko has credited his administration with acquiring the equipment, Uriri MP Mark Nyamita has challenged the claim, alleging that the equipment was donated through support from development partners.
Nyamita has demanded that the county government produce procurement records to establish how the equipment was acquired and whether public funds were used in its purchase.
Governor Ayacko recently said Migori was the first county in Western Kenya to install the advanced diagnostic equipment, describing it as a major milestone for healthcare in the region.
“In the entire Western Kenya region, it is only my administration that has been able to procure a state-of-the-art DNA/PCR Molecular Diagnostic Equipment which is installed at our County Molecular Laboratory at Migori County Referral Hospital. The equipment is worth KSh220 million,” Ayacko wrote.
Nyamita Raises Questions
In a rejoinder, Nyamita challenged the governor to provide evidence supporting the claim that the county government procured the equipment.
“Governor Ochilo Ayacko has claimed that his administration purchased the Sh220 million DNA/PCR Molecular Diagnostic Equipment installed at Migori County Referral Hospital.
“Available records indicate that the equipment was acquired through support from KEMRI/CDC and development partners, and was already at the facility before the current administration took office,” Nyamita wrote.
The MP questioned whether the subsequent commissioning and operationalisation of the equipment was being presented as a procurement by the county government.
According to Nyamita, the equipment had already been acquired before the current administration took office and was later commissioned in January 2024.
“When the machine was commissioned in January 2024, the Governor himself acknowledged the role of donors, the national government, hospital management and development partners in making the equipment operational,” he said.
Ayacko Defends Investment
Ayacko has described the installation and operationalisation of the equipment as a major achievement for his administration and a significant step in improving healthcare services in Migori.
He said the acquisition of the technology marked a pivotal turning point in his commitment to providing high-quality healthcare to residents.
“This tremendous investment in advanced diagnostic technology enables us to further enhance our diagnostic capabilities and improve patient outcomes in our county and the entire Western Kenya region,” he wrote.
The governor also described the DNA/PCR molecular diagnostic equipment as a game-changer in modern medicine.
“By utilising the power of DNA analysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, this sophisticated equipment provides us with unparalleled accuracy and efficiency in diagnosing various diseases, including infectious diseases, genetic disorders, and even forensic analysis,” he wrote.
Where Is the Procurement Record?
Nyamita, however, wants the county government to substantiate the Sh220 million procurement claim.
“If the Sh220 million was indeed spent by your administration to purchase this equipment, where is the procurement record? Where is the tender? Where is the payment evidence? And where did the Sh220 million come from?” he asked.
The Uriri MP said he welcomed investments aimed at improving healthcare but insisted that public resources must be accounted for transparently.
“We welcome every investment that improves healthcare in Migori. But public leadership must be anchored in truth, accountability and proper attribution of public resources,” he said.
Nyamita further argued that equipment obtained through donations or development-partner support should not be presented as a purchase by the county government.
“A donated asset cannot become a government purchase simply because it was later commissioned or operationalised. The people deserve the truth. Facts must prevail,” he said.
The Question
At the centre of the emerging dispute is a straightforward question: Was the Sh220 million DNA/PCR molecular diagnostic equipment purchased by the Migori County Government, or was it acquired through donor and development-partner support before being commissioned by the county?
The answer could be established through procurement documents, tender records, payment records, acquisition agreements and other official documentation relating to the equipment.
Until such records are made public, questions will remain over who financed the equipment and whether the Sh220 million figure represents an actual expenditure by the county government or the value of equipment provided through external support.
For residents of Migori, the dispute is therefore not only about who should take credit for the equipment, but also about transparency, accountability and the proper attribution of public investments.
