The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has arrested 95 individuals and shut down 48 pharmaceutical outlets operating without valid licenses, following a week-long enforcement operation in Nairobi and Kajiado counties.
The surveillance exercise, which ended on June 19, saw PPB officers inspect 155 premises in informal settlements and high-density areas, including Kibra, Korogocho, Eastleigh, Dandora, Mathare, Embakasi, Nairobi West, and Ongata Rongai.
Speaking at the PPB headquarters in Nairobi, Head of Good Distribution Practices and Enforcement Julius Kaluai said those arrested had been arraigned in courts in Kajiado, Kibra, and Makadara and would face due process under the law.
“Out of the 155 premises inspected, 95 were found to be non-compliant, and arrests were made. The suspects have already been presented before various courts, and we are awaiting the outcome of the cases,” said Kaluai.
The enforcement team also ordered the closure of 48 unlicensed premises and has enlisted the support of county governments and security agencies to ensure they remain shut.
“The affected premises have been marked and closure notices issued. Relevant county governments, county security commanders, and the National Police Service have been notified to ensure the closures are permanently enforced,” he said.
During the operation, PPB confiscated about 169 cartons of pharmaceutical drugs from the illegal outlets. The seized drugs are being held in custody pending court directives on their disposal.
Kaluai warned pharmacists against operating illegally, noting that those found culpable risk losing their professional licenses.
He also urged members of the public to buy medicine only from registered and licensed pharmacies, emphasizing that operating permits must be displayed prominently for customers to verify their authenticity.
“The law requires licenses to be displayed openly where clients can see and verify them. This helps the public know they are being served by qualified and authorized personnel,” he said.
Kaluai added that the Board continues to conduct public awareness campaigns and has established communication channels to enable citizens to report concerns and verify licensed pharmaceutical outlets.
By Wangari Ndirangu
