The Nakuru County Government has responded to a recent Auditor General’s report that revealed expired drugs and medical supplies worth at least Ksh. 2 million were found in storage at Nakuru Level Five Hospital.
According to the report, the expired medical supplies were initially intended for HIV and Tuberculosis patients.
This shocking discovery has raised serious concerns about patient safety and has further eroded public confidence in the hospital, which serves residents from at least six neighboring counties.
In a statement addressing the issue, Roselyn Mungai, Nakuru’s Health County Executive Committee (CEC) member, clarified that the expired drugs were received as donations in two separate batches.
The drugs were not purchased
The first batch, consisting of program drugs donated by a development partner, expired due to a change in user protocols, making them unusable.
Meanwhile, the second batch, which came as a documented donation from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), included short-expiry drugs that were meant for high-volume facilities.
Mungai emphasized that the county government did not purchase these drugs, nor were they part of the hospital’s essential medicine stock.
She further explained that once drugs expire, hospitals cannot dispose of them immediately. Instead, they must undergo a strict audit and disposal process to ensure accountability.
Read also Machakos: Guard killed in robbery as residents demand action
She also stressed the importance of the Auditor General seeking clarification from the county before publishing such reports.
“We are fully committed to maintaining the highest standards of accountability in our health department and ensuring that public resources are managed responsibly,” Mungai stated.
The Auditor General’s report, which covers the 2023/2024 financial period, has shed light on how both county and national governments have utilized public funds, sparking widespread discussions on transparency and resource management.
