Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu has warned doctors, nurses among other hospital workers against stealing medicine from public health facilities in the county.
Ngilu claimed some of the government employees were colluding to steal medicine from public hospitals, dispensaries and health centres in the region.
Speaking during an impromptu visit at the Kitui Level 4 Hospital on Thursday, Ngilu said her government had launched investigations on the claims that the lot were stealing medicine bought with taxpayers' money.
Ngilu said she had received complaints that some doctors and nurses were stealing medicine to equip their private clinics and pharmaceuticals.
She said it is illegal and immoral for professionals to engage in such behaviors asserting that those implicated will be sacked immediately.
"I am not going to condone corruption, medicine theft or any misconduct from nurses, doctors or any other county worker," Ngilu said.
Ngilu said she had invited detectives to unravel the truth behind the alleged theft.
She said it was unfortunate for doctors and nurses to steal medicine while the locals suffer in agony.
Ngilu disclosed that some crooked nurses steal medicine and later direct patients to buy the same from their clinics and pharmacies.
She said an audit will be done and any doctor or nurse found owning a pharmacy or clinic will be disciplined as per the labor laws.
The governor urged the residents to be vigilant and reject doctors and nurses instructions of buying medicine from their personal pharmacies.
Ngilu said the county government had invested over Sh3 billion in the health docket hence will not tolerate any form of corruption or misuse of county resources.
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