This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
On July 16, 2020, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe directed the medical board to investigate Lancet Kenya after the lab produced conflicting COVID-19 test results for 17 St Andrew's School Turi staff members.
The staff members were initially reported to have contracted the novel coronavirus after being tested by Lancet Kenya, but were later declared COVID-19 free after their samples were retested at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).
CS Kagwe warned Kenyans to stay away from healthcare facilities producing unclear results, stating that such labs may face closure if found to have violated government-imposed rules and regulations.
"It is true that there is one lab, specifically Lancet, that carried out these tests that eventually turned from positive to negative," said CS Kagwe. "The Ministry will take its measures... we have asked our board to review that particular laboratory."
He also assured Kenyans that the government is committed to ensuring the accuracy of COVID-19 test results, and that laboratories found to be producing unclear results will be closed down.
