The Ministry of Health has finally broken silence after claims that antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) meant for Kenya were diverted over tax compliance.
The Ministry denied the allegations, terming them ill-intended and untrue. The government made it clear that the health products, which are often procured under Fund are not subject to taxation. ARVs are among the health products, which are normally procured under the programme.
"No single dose of ARV procured by the President’s Emergency Fund for AIDs Relief (PEPFAR) through USAID for Kenya, has been diverted to any other country due to non-payment of taxes imposed by the government," read a statement.
On December 31, there were speculations that a consignment with ARVs destined to the country was forced to change its route after the Ministry failed to honour the tax demands.
Last week, Kenya Revenue Authority also issued a statement dismissing the allegations that were doing rounds on social media and other platforms of communication across the country.
The ARVs are often imported and then distributed through the Division of National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCOP). HIV victims have in the past lamented over the shortage of drugs in most of the health facilities across the entire country.