MPs Open a Probe After Electric Therapeutic Mat Burned Moses Kuria's Feet

The National Assembly Health Committee is set to open an inquiry into the circumstances under which an electric mat burned Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria’s feet.

This comes after Kuria petitioned the committee to investigate medical products and devices sold in the country by M/S Ceragem Kenya Limited.

Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege, who chairs the committee, on Thursday said they will invite the proprietors of the company to shed more light on the effectiveness of their products.

“It is not just for the purpose of Hon. Moses Kuria, but also many Kenyans who might be exposed to such devices. It is not just a matter of probing the company that has been mentioned, but also the control measures that the relevant authorities in the country have put in place to protect the citizenry. I have seen those things being sold at various shopping centers,” said Chege.

Kuria was admitted to Karen Hospital three weeks ago with third-degree burn wounds after his feet exploded after using an electric mat purchased from the company in Nairobi. 

Kuria has since undergone three surgeries and is currently recuperating at the hospital.

The MP said he bought the gadget called Ceratonic Mat through a friend for Sh250,000 to cure numbness in his feet.

“This gadget happened to do some slow burning of my feet. I was trying to cure a problem by introducing a killer solution. I went home at night and my feet just exploded,” Kuria said in an interview.

Kuria is seeking to find out whether the products sold by Ceragem have been approved by both the Pharmacy and Poisons Board and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).

He also wants the Ministry of Health to explain if they are aware that some of the products by Ceragem Limited’s mother company have been banned in the US state of Texas for making false claims about their efficacy against cancer.