People in Kenya say lives at risk as HIV drugs run short

Shortage of anti-retroviral drugs comes amid a dispute between the US aid agency and the Kenyan government.

Kenyans living with HIV say their lives are in danger because of a shortage of anti-retroviral drugs donated by the United States during a dispute between the US aid agency and the Kenyan government. The delayed release of the drugs shipped to Kenya late last year occurred after the government slapped an $847,902 tax on the donation. The American aid agency has “trust” issues with the corruption-tainted Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, activists and officials said. Activists on Friday dismissed as “public relations” the government’s statement on Thursday that it had resolved the issue and distributed the drugs to 31 of Kenya’s 47 counties. The government said all counties within five days will have the drugs needed for 1.4 million people.