6 KNH Employees Charged With Stealing Cancer Drugs
Six staff of Kenyatta National Hospital have been charged with stealing cancer medications from the facility.
Lydia Kadima 
According to court documents, Emily Nyambura, Phillip Owino, Mary Mumo, Yvonne Muthoni, Rose Jepkogei, and Maureen Adongo plotted to steal cancer medication worth more than Ksh.9 million from the Kenyatta Prime Care Centre pharmacy.
They all entered not guilty pleas before Chief Magistrate Wendy Michemi and were released on Ksh.500,000 cash bail or a Ksh.1 million bond.
After they challenged the charge sheet stamped by Kenya police, the trial magistrate asked their lawyer to file a formal application.
Months ago, it was reported that, the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) ran out of more than 20 different cancer medications, forcing patients to delve deeper into their budgets to seek alternative services at more expensive private clinics.
It was also said that a critical radiation machine broke down and has yet to be repaired. Radioactive iodine 131 (I-131), Vincristine, Doxorubicin, Mercaptopurine, Allopurinol, Cytoplastin, and Cyclophosphamide are all out of stock. Cisplatin, Adriamycin, and its generic version Rubex are among the chemotherapy medications in short supply.
According to a source, KNH has been out of radioactive iodine for the treatment of thyroid cancer for more than five years.
Three of KNH's seven screening and treatment machines are no longer in use due to aging and abuse.
