ARVs Donation For Kenyans Shipped To West Africa Over Tax KRA Demands

KRA is on the spot again after it merged that ARV drugs meant for Kenyans were last year shipped to a country in West Africa after the government demanded tax.

The drugs donated by the United States government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), landed in the port of Mombasa in October last year.

The drugs with a budget of USD35 million (Ksh3.5 billion) were to benefit at least 900, 000 Kenyans living with HIV/AIDS.

The US government partnered with the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), a state corporation under the Ministry of Health, to receive the drugs after being procured by USAID.

Nyuki News has learnt that on arrival, KRA imposed taxes on the drugs.

The Western region in Kenya has Busia, Vihiga, and Kakamega listing in the top ten Counties with Busia leading at a prevalence of 7.7 with 5.7 in men and 9.4 in women.

The US embassy, however, refused to pay the taxes, on grounds that it was a donation. This meant that KEMSA couldn’t be cleared to get the drugs.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) is said to have refused to offload the cargo forcing the shipping company to turn back to the US for further instructions.

Reports indicate that the US government decided to donate the drugs to another country in West Africa.

Here are the top 10 counties with the highest HIV prevalence:

1. Siaya
2. Homabay
3. Kisumu
4. Migori
5. Busia
6. Nairobi
7. Vihiga
8. Kitui
9. Kakamega
10. Kisii