Punish those illegally exporting blood to Somalia

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe’s claim that blood donations are being illegally exported to Somalia is grave. Worse, those perpetrating this illegal practice are Ministry of Health officials working in cahoots with counterparts at the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Services (KNBTS).

This revelation, coming at a time that many patients in Kenyan hospitals have made appeals for blood on social media, is disturbing. It shows the low levels to which the canker of corruption has driven this country. It is unacceptable that individuals charged with ensuring the good health of Kenyans are driven by the pursuit of illegally acquired profits, even if it means Kenyan patients die from lack of blood in the process.