How Cartels are Selling Blood Donated In Kenya To Somalia

A few weeks ago, KenyaInsights ran a story noting how Kenya was experiencing a serious blood shortage in hospitals, this was after observing dozens of friends and relatives taking to social media to call for wellwishers to donate blood for their loved ones. In a fresh turn of events, detectives have established that there is a cartel that has allegedly been selling blood donated by Kenyans in Somalia.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations is investigating officers of the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS) who are believed to be part of the cartel creating an artificial blood shortage in the country by illegally selling blood meant to benefit Kenyans in need and while at it causing deaths that would’ve been avoided.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has acknowledged receiving reports on the illegal sale of blood in the country, terming it as unfortunate while speaking to journalists.

The Health CS, in a statement dated March 6, 2020, and copied to the Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti, blamed the blood shortage on the cartel, which he said is operating within and outside the country.

“The Ministry is aware that there are criminal elements both within and outside the country who are colluding with outsiders to escalate the problems pertaining to blood countrywide,” he said. “These cartels have been engaged in blood trade within as well as outside the country for selfish gain without any regard to women and children who are dying in hospitals as a result of this shortage.”

KNBTS, however, blames lack of funding as the reason for the blood shortage, this is after the United States government cut off a donation fund known as Pepfar which helped Kenya get supplies and equipment for the blood collection.