Nyamira MCAs question delayed distribution of Sh30 million drugs

When Nyamira Assembly MCAs exchanged blows and kicks at the Floor of the Assembly following protests over the House Business which some said was screwed. [Stanley Ongwae, Standard]

Members of the Nyamira County Assembly have raised concerns over the distribution of drugs worth Sh30 million.

Through the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee Duke Masira, the MCAs said the drugs that were recently procured for county public hospitals were further being distributed to health facilities without documentation.

The Ward Reps said as a result, there could be foul play aimed at stealing the drugs.

Masira also questioned the delay in the distribution of the drugs more than a month after flagging off by Governor Amos Nyaribo.

"There is a lot that should be known to the people of Nyamira about the drugs. They were launched and flagged a month ago, but some facilities are yet to receive them. There are no documents to show the quantities received and the monetary value where they have been delivered," Masira said.

Timothy Ombati, the CEC in charge of Health however, defended the exercise claiming the distribution had been done in accordance with what the law stipulates.

Ombati said the delivery of the drugs had delayed because of the mass protests that had been taking place in the region.

To him, the delivery dates had coincided with the protest dates.

"The supplier of the drugs had security concerns, and we had to heed to the same. All the facilities have received their assigned drugs, and all documentations have been processed," Dr Ombati said.

Kiabonyoru Ward Rep Thomas Benecha in his sentiments faulted how the health department was managing health facilities in the devolved unit.

He claimed casual workers who are instrumental in the delivery of services have been laid off and replaced by private companies.

"We have investigated and found out that the County had long terminated contracts of casual labourers who were working at the facility and instead engaged services of a private company in a process not consistent with the procurement laws," Benecha said.

But Dr Ombati dismissed the claims and maintained that the private company was engaged after following all due consultations and procedures.

He added that all the casuals were being listed in the service provider to continue serving.

"We had no intention of sacking the casuals, but we had an agreement that they be absorbed by the service provider and work under the company," he clarified.