The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) are said to be conducting an undercover operation at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to uncover those responsible for the theft of drugs valued at approximately Ksh 200 million.
The stolen drugs, which include anti-HIV and anti-malarial medications, were reportedly taken from KEMSA’s National Supply Chain Centre in Nairobi. Sources reveal that DCI investigators and PPB inspectors are focusing on identifying both insider involvement and external collaborators in an effort to recover the stolen goods and prosecute the perpetrators.
The investigation has also expanded to pharmacies and drug dealers who have previously been found colluding with KEMSA staff to divert government-supplied drugs to the black market, including private healthcare facilities.
This marks the second theft at the National Supply Chain Centre this year, the first occurring during the Gen Z protests in June. Additionally, an August audit by the Global Fund revealed that over 1 million condoms, 908,000 mosquito nets, and tuberculosis drugs worth Ksh 10 million were missing from the same warehouse.
A Global Fund report highlighted serious internal control issues at KEMSA, particularly in warehousing and inventory management, as well as improper monitoring and distribution systems, making the agency highly vulnerable to theft. The report noted that the Nairobi warehouse was overcrowded, further complicating the ability to track and secure the commodities.
In addition to these thefts, KEMSA insiders have also faced past scrutiny for engaging in fraudulent activities, such as creating fake health facilities within the system and falsely reporting deliveries to these non-existent entities.
This is a developing story. We will keep readers updated as the situation unfolds.
