NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 20 – Assorted medical drugs procured by Homa Bay County have been confiscated from three suspects after they went missing from public health facilities managed by the devolved unit.
The suspects identified as Churchill Ochieng, Amos Omondi and Owuor Sam were caught offloading 185 full cartons of various drugs, part of a consignment worth Sh20 million at a private residence in Rodi Kopany area.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday morning, Chief Officer for Health Service Kevin Osuri blamed deficits at county-run facilities to the disappearance of the medical supplies.
He however vowed to bring sanity in the public health sector.
“Today we have patients suffering in our medical facilities for lack of drugs and other essential supplies because of unscrupulous Kenyans out to steal and divert these critical medicines from the ones who need them the most,” said.
“As a responsible county government, we will ensure that we bring to end the theft of medical supplies,” Dr. Osuri committed.
The Chief Officer further cautioned Homa Bay county staff against colluding with unscrupulous business people to steal drugs saying those found culpable will be prosecuted.
The drugs, according to the County Executive Committee Member for Health Roselyn Omolloh, were on transit from a supplier and had not arrived at the Homa Bay County medical warehouse and logistics centre for onward distribution to various health facilities across the county.
