By THE DISPATCH DIGITAL REPORTER
Embu County is currently embroiled in a significant governance controversy, following revelations that its health facilities had stocked expired drugs worth Ksh 7.9 million. The issue came to light during a County Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC) session, where Embu MCAs expressed outrage over the county’s management of pharmaceutical supplies. The drugs, which had been stored at Embu Level 5 Hospital, were meant for distribution to health facilities across the county but had expired, despite ongoing shortages of essential medicines in the region.
The discovery of these expired drugs has sparked a wave of anger and concern among the MCAs, who are now demanding accountability from the county executive. The MCAs are questioning how these drugs could have been allowed to expire while hospitals within the county are reportedly facing severe shortages of essential medications. The situation is exacerbated by the county’s apparent failure to distribute donated drugs in a timely manner, leaving them to expire in storage.
During the PAC meeting, the Auditor General’s report for the fiscal year ending June 2023 was reviewed, which highlighted various instances of financial mismanagement and inefficiency within the county government. The MCAs, led by PAC Chairman Paul Muchangi, voiced their frustration over the lack of accountability, particularly concerning the expired drugs. They also raised concerns about the county’s broader financial management issues, including unaccounted-for imprests amounting to Ksh 25.4 million, and illegal allowances paid to members of the County Public Service Board.
The MCAs are now threatening to take drastic measures, including the possible impeachment of certain County Executive Committee (CEC) members, if satisfactory explanations and corrective actions are not provided. They have given the county executive a seven-day deadline to address these issues and provide a comprehensive plan for rectifying the identified anomalies.
This incident has drawn significant public attention, with residents of Embu County expressing their dissatisfaction through social media platforms. The general sentiment among the public is one of disbelief and frustration, as they struggle to understand how such a critical issue could have gone unnoticed for so long. The expired drugs, which were intended to alleviate the suffering of patients, have instead become a symbol of the county’s administrative failures.
The Embu County government now faces the daunting task of restoring public trust by taking decisive action against those responsible for this debacle. The MCAs have called for immediate reforms in the county’s management of healthcare supplies to prevent a recurrence of such incidents. They have also emphasized the need for a comprehensive audit of all county health facilities to ensure that no other expired drugs are in circulation.
In the broader context, this issue highlights the ongoing challenges faced by many Kenyan counties in managing public resources efficiently and transparently. The Embu County Assembly has vowed to continue its oversight role vigorously, ensuring that the county executive is held accountable for any lapses in governance. As the investigation unfolds, the residents of Embu County will be watching closely to see if their leaders can deliver the reforms needed to improve healthcare services and restore public confidence.