This archive report was first published on 20 June 2020.
Kenya: Scanty Information On Theft of Donated COVID-19 Equipment ¶
As of June 20, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has infected 4,374 people in Kenya, prompting the Ministry of Health to plot how to combat the virus.
Two separate theft reports relating to donated COVID-19 equipment in March are being investigated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The first consignment was donated by Alibaba founder Jack Ma, who had made a similar philanthropic gesture in other African countries. Mr. Ma's care package had 100,000 face masks and 20,000 testing kits, which arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on March 24.
However, as the huge consignment of test kits disappears, the government is keeping over 5,000 samples that are yet to be tested due to the global shortage of testing materials.
Health Director-General Patrick Amoth acknowledged that the country has been experiencing a shortage of test kits. But he said the ministry had received a batch that would last the country four weeks.
"It is always dangerous to have a backlog, because if a sample tests positive and the person was roaming for weeks without knowing their results, the risk of transmission is high, hence a tedious process in reaching all the contact persons," Dr. Amoth said.
Healthcare workers have been complaining that they do not have enough personal protective equipment, a situation that is putting their lives at risk.
Since April, the alleged theft of Mr. Ma's donations has been discussed in hushed tones, with rumors flying high on social media.
But last week, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe publicly acknowledged that thieves had found their way to Mr. Ma's consignment.
The second donation, from the Chinese government, arrived on April 20 at the same aerodrome.
Two COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Kericho County, while 12 people who had come into contact with them have been placed under quarantine.
The father and daughter who tested positive have been placed under quarantine at Kericho County Referral Hospital.
