Three Migori medics charged in relation to stealing drugs worth Sh400

KISUMU: Services at Migori Level Four Hospital were paralysed for the better part of the day after the workers downed their tools and marched in solidarity to protest over arrest of three of their colleagues.

The trio, arraigned before the Migori Chief Magistrate David Kemei, was accused of stealing drugs and equipment valued at Sh400.

The accused workers Phelensia Achieng, Agnes Morara and Vivian Chepng'eno had charges of stealing drugs and syringes all totalling to Sh400, the second count accused them of possessing the stolen property and third count charged them of handling stolen property belonging to the government.

They all denied the charges and were released on cash bail of Sh20,000 each and an alternative bond of Sh50,000.

As the proceedings went at the magistrate's court, the packed court waited in anticipation of the fate of the three accused officers.

Services having paralysed a section of health workers, carrying twigs and chanting solidarity slogans, condemned the act of arresting workers over drugs and equipment worth Sh400.

"We have people stealing drugs worth millions of money in the county government, all of them go scot-free and not even the hospital administration speak about it, then they allege that the three workers stole the drugs, what is Sh400?" posed one of the angry workers who sought anonymity.

The worker added, "Now there are long queues of patients who need services and they cannot get them simply because the workers have downed their tools. The best thing the hospital administration ought to have done is fine them the Sh400 and allow services to go on instead of wasting time in court with long processes."

Migori County Level Four Hospital has, in the past, been in the media limelight for frequent downing of tools by the employees as well as unavailability of drugs.

The case involving the three workers is scheduled for a mention on August 28and a  hearing on September 9 .