Former Cabinet Minister Moses Kuria has accused the pharmaceutical mafia of controlling Kenya’s drug market, claiming medicines sold locally are far more expensive and of low quality than those sold in the global market.
Speaking on November 26, 2025, Kuria alleged Kenya's market is saturated with inferior drugs whose prices are artificially inflated, creating a significant public health risk and burdening Kenyans.
Kuria proceeded to narrate a story of his friend, who is an Indian doctor who fell sick while in Nairobi and bought over-the-counter medication. According to him, the doctor was shocked at the medicine`s price, which he described as more expensive compared to other countries.
“ First pharmaceutical products in Kenya cost 10 times more compared to other countries. Secondly, the molecule strength is 10% quality compared to other countries,” Kuria added.
According to Kuria, the situation in the country is exacerbated by the failure of the regulator Pharmacy &Poisons Board. He accused the board of protecting these cartels instead of regulating the quality of medicine sold in the country.
“All countries have healthcare cartels. But in Kenya the pharma industry Mafia owns a country,” he stated.
Kuria proceeded to congratulate the Member of Parliament (MP)of Mosop, Abraham Kirwa, who resumed parliamentary sessions after a long battle with illness.
Kirwa, who suffered the stroke live on radio during his 54th birthday broadcast in late 2023, had been receiving care in Nairobi, Dubai, and the United States. His prolonged absence sparked a High Court petition from a constituent seeking to declare his seat vacant, citing the lack of representation for Mosop in Nandi County. The case is set for mention on December 1, 2025.
Kirwa, who is still recovering from the stroke, narrated his experience at a Nairobi hospital where he alleges he got denied medicine that could have saved his life.
According to Kirwa, his life had only been saved because of quick intervention from doctors in Dubai, who informed him that the medicine given in Kenya was substandard. He claimed that he was cautioned against taking any of the medicine given to him in Kenyan hospitals.
Kirwa further called for more funding in health care and for stricter regulations regarding the quality of medicine sold in the country. In addition, he called for the formation of a board that would hold doctors accountable for their actions when handling patients.
“I am happy for Mosop MP Abraham Kirwa for successful recovery. I now urge him to summon the Ministry of Health to parliament and ask them what they are doing to track and trace all pharmaceutical products coming to Kenya,” Kuria said.
The Cabinet Secretary of Health, Aden Duale, has since issued a directive to the bo the health board to ensure all substandard and unregistered medicines are immediately pulled out of the Kenyan Market. He further issued a stern warning to any party found supplying substandard medicine, stating that they would be dealt with according to the law.
