As Kenyans continue with their uproar over the theft of COVID-19 funds, it has emerged that the government is yet to distribute medical supplies donated by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma.
This comes amid reports that a private facility got some medical supplies from the donation.
According to an official document from the Ministry of Health titled “Jack Ma Allocation 2020” seen by the Nation, very few medical supplies have been distributed since they arrived in Kenya on March 24.
The consignment that arrived at JKIA in late March had 12 positive airway pressure (PAP) kits which are yet to be distributed hitherto.
PAP comes in handy when assisting a patient who has breathing difficulties.
The Ministry further asserts that out of 81 infrared thermometers which had been donated, only 24 have been distributed.
The document indicates that only a small portion of the donation was received by Amref Laboratory from an Ethiopian Plane which flew to Kenya via Addis Ababa.
Amref Lab, the only non-governmental laboratory in the country received 384 detection kits, 3000 extraction swabs, 3,984 surgical masks and 189 Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).
The lab according to Amref CEO Dr Githinji Gitahi is still using this in its operations.
“We received the kits because we are an approved lab to test for government. The samples we have tested comes from Kemri,” Dr Gitahi explained.
Some 2,304 testing kits and 2,204 extraction manual kits were given to Kemri molecular biology in Nairobi and Alupe.
These are the only two labs that got the manual kits although they are fully automated.
This report comes as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations starts investigating the alleged theft of the donation by some rogue officials.
