Who made application to import Sputnik V vaccine? Otiende Amollo wants answers

Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo has written to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board seeking information on the controversial Sputnik V vaccine.

According to the Rarieda MP, who is also a lawyer, the roll out of the Russian vaccine has created a lot of public angst.

“There is conflict of information regarding the importation, registration and use of the vaccine within our Kenyan border,” his letter to the Board reads.

The advocate wants to know when the application for importation of the Sputnik V vaccine was made and by whom.

He further wants the Pharmacy and Poisons Board to make public information on whether the person or entity who imported the vaccine is a registered pharmacist and provide proof of registration.

The lawyer is also seeking information on when the approval for importation was made and for what use the Sputnik V vaccine was approved.

In his letter to the Board, the Rarieda MP asked if the vaccine was approved for public use.

“In light of the urgency of the matter let me have your response to the foregoing by immediate return and in any event within 7 days of this letter,” he said.

The Rarieda MP said details of the Sputnik V vaccine remain especially even after the Ministry of Health stated that there was no vaccine currently approved for sale in Kenya.

In addition, he said, the Russian Embassy in Kenya in a statement dated March 29, 2021, said there was no agreement between the Government of Kenya and Russia for the importation and use of the Sputnik V vaccine.

The letter to the Board comes a day after Deputy President Willian Ruto and his wife Rachel received their first dose of the Sputnik V vaccine.

Other Kenyans who have received the Russian vaccine that reportedly costs Ksh. 11,000 are lawyers Donald Kipkorir and Ahmednassir Abdullahi.