Governors call for accountability measures after KNH cancer drugs scandal

The Council of Governors has called upon the Ministry of Health to establish systems to curb drug theft after the recent reports of drugs stolen from the Kenyatta National Teaching and Referral Hospital (KNH) valued at more than Ksh.9 million. 

The Governors, in a statement on Monday, condemned the “inhumane” incident and called for improved logistics infrastructure and information systems to counter future occurrences.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the inhumane actions that negate the ongoing reform initiatives by both National and County Governments to make access to quality essential medicines and medical supplies a right for all Kenyans at all times,” said the governors.

“We call upon the Ministry of Health to enhance systems to enable end-to-end visibility of the use of all drugs in the hospital, and to ensure that there is no conflict of interest of those who manage the cancer unit at the KNH and private facilities since it has been reported that the stolen drugs are taken to one such facility owned by a senior official at the KNH Cancer Unit,” they added.

Six KNH employees were last week charged with stealing cancer drugs from the hospital. 

According to court papers seen by Citizen Digital, Emily Nyambura, Phillip Owino, Mary Mumo, Yvonne Muthoni, Rose Jepkogei, and Maureen Adongo conspired to steal the cancer medication from the Kenyatta Prime Care Centre pharmacy. 

They all pleaded not guilty while appearing before Chief Magistrate Wendy Michemi and were released on a cash bail of Ksh.500,000 or a bond of Ksh.1million. 

Cancers account for the third largest cause of death in Kenya, after infectious and cardiovascular diseases. 

Every year an estimated 42,116 new cases of cancer are reported with the number of cancer deaths estimated at 27,092 annually as documented in the International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC) GLOBOCAN report for 2020. 

“We would also like to add that it is urgent to invest heavily in the development of human resources at the KNH, especially cancer specialists equipped with the most modern tools for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer,” the governors added.