Martha Karua Demands Answers over Controversial Importation of Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 Vaccine

Nark-Kenya party leader Martha Karua has weighed in on the controversial importation of the Russian-made Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine into the country.

While demanding answers from the government, Karua said the importation of the jab into the country appears to have been “purposely designed to mint fresh #covidmillionares at the expense of Kenyans.”

“The Sputnik vaccine entry into the country remains a mystery after the Ministry of Health & the Embassy of Russia Federation in Kenya disowned it…We demand answers from the government,” Karua wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.

She added that it is the responsibility of the government to protect Kenyans from exploitation by procuring enough vaccines for all eligible citizens.

“The importation of vaccines ought to be government-led in a pandemic #covidmillionaires,” said Karua.

She added: “Millions of Kenyans cannot afford their daily medical needs let alone buy expensive vaccines. That is why vaccines should be procured as a public good by the government.”

On Tuesday, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nairobi confirmed a private entity imported the Sputnik V vaccine into Kenya on a commercial basis.

The embassy said questions regarding the commercial importation of the vaccine should be directed to the private importers in Kenya.

Deputy President William Ruto and lawyers Ahmednasir Abdullahi and Donald Kipkorir are among those who have been inoculated with the Sputnik vaccine.

The vaccine imported by Dinlas Pharma EPZ Limited was approved for emergency use by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) but the Health Ministry is yet to approve its usage.

With an efficacy rate of 92 percent, Sputnik V is Kenya’s first commercial COVID vaccine and is retailing at Sh8,000 per shot.