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Sh63b medical kits were not inspected, Kebs reveals

Wednesday, December 4th, 2019 00:00 | By
Kebs managing director Benjamin Njiraini.

Details have emerged that the leased medical equipment acquired through the Sh63 billion Managed Equipment Service (MES) programme were neither inspected, verified nor certified to be free of any medical risk.

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) admitted that the equipment supplied to 122 health facilities in 47 counties was commissioned without their input.

Appearing before a Senate ad hoc committee probing the controversial MES project, Kebs managing director Benjamin Njiraini said at the time of the tender and shipment of the equipment, they could not test the machines as they did not have the mandate.

Agency restrained

“We did not conduct conformity assessment at the onset of the MES programme because we had been restrained by the then Health Minister Cleopa Mailu,” Njiraini said.

“How can KEBs be reduced to only inspecting permits from companies? A minister cannot write a letter for you to suspend the law,” said  committee vice-chair Mose Wetang’ula.

However, Njiraini in defence said at the time, under Legal Notice No 78 of 2005, Kebs was not obligated or mandated to test, inspect or verify medical equipment.

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