News

LSK challenges gov’t ban on importation of Covid-19 vaccines

Published

3 years ago

April 7, 2021

The Law Society of Kenya has filed a petition at the court challenging the order by the government that bans the private sector from importing and distributing covid-19 vaccines.

LSK President Nelson Havi wants the court to bar the implementation and enforcement of the decision made by Health CS Mutahi Kagwe last week arguing that such a ban can not be imposed when the available vaccine can only cover 30% of the population.

“The banning of the importation of vaccines is challenged because such a decision cannot be made when the vaccination capacity of the government is 30% of the population of Kenya,” reads the petition in part.

The society also wants the court to suspend the decision to revoke the licenses of the entities who were importing and administering the vaccine to Kenyans. They further asked the court to lift the rules on lockdown issued by President Uhuru Kenyatta on five counties on March 26 arguing that that public order is illegal.

Covid-19 vaccine [p/courtesy]

“The public order made by the president on March 26 is impugned on the grounds that the same is not founded upon any provision of law, is unlawful, unconstitutional is inconsistent which violates and contravenes the constitutions of Kenya,” Havi stated.

Kenya stopped the private importation of covid-19-vaccines on April 3 citing fears that counterfeit inoculations may find their way into the country and course harm to unsuspecting citizens.

“To ensure the transparency and accountability in the vaccination process, and to protect the integrity of the country, the government is effective today closing the window of private sector importation, distribution and administration of vaccines, until such a time there is greater transparency and accountability in the entire process,” Kenya’s National Emergency Response Committee on coronavirus said in a statement Friday evening.

Private health facilities like Nanyuki Cottage Hospital was charging Ksh8,000 apiece for Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine while other institutions are giving out free AstraZeneca vaccines the government procured from the global COVAX initiative.

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