Police probe Embu hospital theatre kit theft

Embu Governor Martin Wambora at the Oncology section at the Embu Level Five Hospital. [Standard]

Officers are investigating theft of Sh500,000 theatre equipment at the Embu Level Five Teaching and Referral Hospital.

County Police Commandant Daniel Rukunga said the theft had been reported at the Embu Police Station.

“It is suspected the theft was an inside job. Various people in the hospital have recorded statements with the sub-county Directorate of Criminal Investigations," he said.

Mr Rukunga said, at the moment, it was difficult to tell who the culprit was, but investigations were on high gear.

"After investigations are complete, the person or people found culpable will be arrested and prosecuted," said the police boss.

A source confirmed that the theft was discovered last week and immediately reported to the police.

Governor Martin Wambora recently stated that over 300 brain surgeries have been performed at the hospital since the modern equipment was installed two years ago.

The theft of the theatre equipment could derail such operations.

Recently, Embu County Secretary Johnson Nyaga said the hospital had become a neurosurgery hub in Mt Kenya and the country.

He said the hospital had hired a neurosurgeon as the chief executive officer, and in the past 18 months the health institution had carried out more than 300 successful surgeries.