Kemsa Scandal Deepens as UK Firm Accused of Spying Operations

Global consulting and technology giant Accenture is facing intensified scrutiny following allegations of involvement in international surveillance operations and ethically questionable financial activities. 

A recent inquiry by Progressive International has brought renewed attention to the firm's extensive reach within state security infrastructures and its role in potentially facilitating mass surveillance, supporting military-industrial interests, and promoting the privatisation of public resources. The Progressive International report, based on an analysis of 41 contract case studies across multiple continents, raises serious concerns about Accenture's partnerships with major surveillance technology firms and its contribution to the development and deployment of sophisticated tracking systems. 

The findings suggest the company has not only expanded its business interests but has also exerted undue influence on governmental decisions related to security and technology. Accenture's controversial dealings are not new and extend to various nations. In Kenya, the firm's connection to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) scandal has resurfaced. Accenture secured a contract to supply personal protective equipment (PPE) at a cost of Ksh 9,000 per unit, totalling Ksh 108 million. This procurement raised eyebrows as Kemsa had reportedly not budgeted for the purchase. 

Beyond this transaction, Accenture has worked closely with Kenya’s Ministry of Health, engaging in projects aimed at improving primary healthcare and digital learning. Accenture’s involvement with Kenya Airways also drew attention. In 2022, its subsidiary, Seabury Consulting, was hired by the government to analyse the airline’s financial challenges and suggest restructuring options. This move followed a recommendation by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which advised Kenya to seek external expertise to assess Kenya Airways’ future. The airline had been grappling with persistent losses, prompting concerns about its viability.

Accenture's involvement in large-scale identification and surveillance systems globally is extensive. It has played a significant role in projects such as India's Aadhaar biometric database, the UNHCR's refugee identification system, and Finland's migration service automation program. The company's origins can be traced back to Arthur Andersen, the accounting firm implicated in the Enron scandal of the early 2000s, which ultimately led to its collapse. 

After rebranding as Accenture, the firm quickly expanded its reach and secured a contract with the US Department of Homeland Security to develop the US-VISIT biometric tracking program, one of the largest of its kind at the time. This deal was later subject to criticism and allegations of manipulation in the awarding process.

Accenture’s financial dealings have been questioned in multiple nations. In Angola, the company was implicated in a money-laundering scheme involving billionaire Isabel dos Santos, with a contract valued at Ksh 6.9 billion. In Australia, a Ksh 2.2 billion border security contract was terminated due to reported underperformance. 

Luxembourg authorities compelled Accenture to pay Ksh 25 billion in tax evasion settlements, while Scotland saw its police IT contract cancelled in 2013, costing the firm Ksh 2 billion in penalties. In the United States, Accenture’s handling of a border agent recruitment contract valued at Ksh 38 billion was met with controversy and ultimately scrapped after the firm managed to hire only two people. In Germany, former Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen faced allegations that her ministry had unduly favoured Accenture in procurement decisions.

Accenture has also experienced recent leadership changes. Mark Ellis assumed the role of managing director on March 25, 2025, succeeding Stuart James Hamilton. Official records indicate that the company operated under the name Elfbay Limited until May 2023 before adopting its current title. The allegations against Accenture, brought forth by Progressive International and other entities, raise significant questions about the increasingly blurred lines between corporate power and government functions.

Governments worldwide have increasingly turned to external firms for technology, security, and financial consulting services, often entrusting them with highly sensitive operations. However, these revelations raise concerns that such partnerships may involve ethical compromises, excessive privatisation, and the potential for mass surveillance.