'Stolen' drugs worth millions of shillings recovered at private residence

A consignment of drugs worth millions of shillings belonging to various public health facilities in Nyandarua County was on Saturday, February 25 recovered at a private home in Engineer town, Kinangop Sub-County.

The operation that led to the recovery of the drugs brought together heads of security agencies and county government officials led by Governor Moses Kiarie Badilisha as well as the Nyandarua County commissioner Amos Mariba.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the drugs belonged to Karangatha Health Centre and Engineer County Hospital. They were stolen from the hospitals and sold to private pharmaceuticals by a medic at one of the facilities.

Governor Badilisha rued that theft had occasioned the lack of drugs in health facilities across the county, to the detriment of poor residents who rely on public hospitals for healthcare services.

The county boss promised to curb the vice by scrutinising the issuance of licenses to medical officers who operate private chemists. He also pledged to increase the level of oversight of public health facilities in the county by automation of issuance of drugs to help keep track.

His deputy John Mathara said the county government will work closely with law enforcement agencies to investigate cases of drug theft and ensure that those found guilty are prosecuted.

On his part, the county commissioner urged residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.