Nairobi, July 25 -- The Auditor-General has flagged the purchase of Sh650million mobile phones for community health promoters (CHPs) without inclusion in the approved 2024/25 annual procurement plan of the Health ministry.

CHPs are trained community members who serve as a link between the community and formal health facilities. Often travelling on foot or by motorcycle, they conduct home visits, provide health education, support disease surveillance and facilitate referrals, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.

According to the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, all government purchases must be included in an approved annual procurement plan before the procurement process can begin.

However, in the audit r...