Editor's Review

  • Kemsa allegedly distributed toxic ARVs as Kenya dealt with a shortage of the drugs.

Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa) is under investigation for allegedly supplying toxic antiretroviral drugs.

According to the Health Ministry, Kemsa is under probe over the allegations. CS Mutahi Kagwe said he will give a statement after the investigations are done.

“We cannot talk on the matter, we are investigating the issue and we will find a solution,” Kagwe said.

Kemsa allegedly released Zidovudine/Lamivudine/Nevirapine ARVs which were phased out a year ago due to their adverse effects on patients, were on Thursday flagged off to 31 counties.

CS Kagwe assured Kenyans there are enough ARVs in Kemsa’s warehouse adding that distribution and disbursement of the drugs are ongoing.

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There was outrage after a report on a local daily claimed that Kemsa had distributed toxic ARVs amid the reported shortage of the drugs in the country following a government standoff with donors.

A report by the Nation indicated that KEMSA flagged off a consignment of ARVs worth Sh1.2 billion to 31 counties.

Meanwhile, CS Kagwe announced that the Covid-19 positivity rate at 10percent after 495 people tested positive from 4,929 samples. He further reported that 19 people succumbed to the virus which brought the death toll to 2,707.