Kakamega banks on Boda bodas in fight against drug theft

Kakamega boda boda operators wait for customers at their Equity bank stage on March 13, 2024. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Kakamega County Government has partnered with Boda boda operators in a move that aims to curb the theft of drugs and non-pharmaceuticals in public hospitals.

County Chief Officer for Medical Services Dr David Alilah said Boda boda riders will act as the county ambassadors and spies to tame the vice. 

Dr Alilah held a meeting with Boda boda officials in Butere Constituency to deliberate on how the partnership would be conducted. 

He said the county will provide toll-free contact numbers for all health officials in all facilities to report cases of theft of drugs and non-pharms.

“Boda boda riders are our soldiers, and we want them to assist us manage our health sector from the outside. We are using them to prevent some losses in the facilities because they are the same people who carry even stolen drugs from our hospitals because of the convenience of their mode of transport that does not raise suspicion,” said Alilah.

He said the county will soon reveal private pharmacies and drug shops where the stolen drugs end up being sold.

“Some of the riders admit they transport stolen products. They have assured me of their support,” said Alilah.

He also directed public health facilities to adhere to the governor’s policy of buying drugs on a monthly basis under the 30 per cent policy of the budget disbursed and ensure that the system is automated.

Dr Alilah said the county, in collaboration with the national government, will install the AfyaKe system by the end of this month in all health facilities for accountability and efficiency.

The county will also use Boda Boda operators to sensitise residents to register under the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Boda Boda operators led by Butere Chairman Hassan Mapesa vowed to arrest people stealing drugs, admitting that a good number of his members are being used to transport the stolen drugs.

“Our members have indeed been used unknowingly to transport stolen drugs and I want to assure the county through the Ministry of Health that we are going to arrest the culprits in the next two weeks because we are the ones transporting the drugs and sensitize our people on the danger of being used as an accomplice,” said Mapesa.

He added, “We are also going to sensitize our members to register under SHA because we are highly exposed to risks and we are going to take the same message to our people to register on the new health insurance scheme.”

Last year when he flagged off drugs and non-pharmaceutical items worth Sh240 million at Bukhungu stadium yesterday, Governor Fernandes Barasa issued a stern warning to county officers out to scuttle his plans to improve the health care system, saying those found culpable would be dismissed.

“We are using the health management system to monitor the drugs and seal all the loopholes that make it possible for individuals to smuggle out some drugs and take them to the private market,” said Barasa.