Sh20million assorted stolen medical supplies from KEMSA seized, 3 arrested in Homa Bay County
Police at Rodi Kopany Police Station are holding three suspects in connection to medical supplies theft syndicate after they were found offloading 185 cartons full of assorted medicines from Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa) worth Sh20million last night.
The medical drugs had been procured by the County government of Homa Bay.
The trio were apprehended during a sting operation by a multi-agency team comprising of DCI sleuths, police officers and health officers from Homa Bay County.
Homa Bay Health Services Chief Officer Dr. Kevin Osuri said they followed a tip off by members of the public about the syndicate operations.
“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. As a responsible county government, we will ensure that we bring to end theft of medical supplies”, said Dr. Osuri.
The three suspects are; Churchill Ochieng Mbuya, Amos Omondi and Owuor Sam Mutoma.
“They were caught offloading the drugs – part of a consignment worth Sh20 million at a private residence in Rodi Kopany area.” Roselynn Omolloh , Homa Bay County Executive Committee Member for Health said.
The operation was headed by Homa Bay County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) Monica Jeruto Berege the Divisional Criminal Investigations Officer (DCIO), Homabay County.
The drugs were on transit from the supplier, Mission For Essential Drugs (MEDS) and had not arrived at the Homabay County medical warehouse and logistics centre for onward distribution to various health facilities across the county.
The first batch of medicines from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) worth Sh60 million was supplied two months ago and was flagged off by governor Gladys Wanga.
