10 medical 'quacks' arrested in North Rift

Ten health workers in the North Rift have been arrested by officers from the Kenya Medical Laboratories and Technologists Board (KMLTTB) who raided hospitals in Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia Counties.

The KMLTTB officers, who were on a mission to ensure all medical laboratory technicians and technologists are certified and licensed, arrested seven technicians in Kitale and three in Eldoret.

KMLTTB Executive Officer Patrick Kisabei said the arrested were found operating medical and diagnostic laboratories in both public and private health facilities, which is not in line with laid-down regulations.

"It is so sad that healthcare provision, which is a basic right for every citizen, is being compromised by quacks out to undermine standards and expose innocent residents to misdiagnosis or even new infections," he said.

Mr Kisabei said they arrested two laboratory technicians from the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), the second largest referral facility in the country.

"We raided MTRH and were surprised that such a trusted facility has unlicensed practitioners working in the facility.

"We arrested two while several others escaped after they received word that were conducting the inspection," he said.