A Swiss national has been found guilty of extracting blood from Kenyan athletes in Iten, Elgeiyo-Marakwet County.
Bassile Samuel David Moreillon was found guilty by Iten senior principal magistrate Emily Kigen and sentenced to serve a two-year jail sentence or pay a fine of Ksh400,000.
The foreigner said he was on a research mission in partnership with two universities in the country.
“I am a research PhD student from Switzerland carrying out research in partnership with Kenyatta University and the University of Nairobi,” Moreillon said, as quoted by a local publication.
His lawyer, Edward Ruto, asked the court for a less punitive action.
“My client is remorseful. He is a Swiss national and a PhD student doing research in partnership with Kenyatta University and the University of Nairobi,” Ruto told the court.
The Swiss national was charged alongside Geoffrey Kibet Bwambok, a Kenyan, who denied charges against him. Bwambok was released on a bond of Kh600,000 with an alternative cash bail of Kh300,000.
Bwambok and Moreillon were accused of carrying out suspicious activities and were arrested by a crime detective officer from the Iten police station. Any athlete who accepted to have his blood extracted was paid Ksh1000.
Charges
They were also charged with carrying out scientific research without a license, which is contrary to Section 15 of the Science, Technology, and Innovation Act Number 6 of 2022.
“Between March 3 and 7, 2024, at Iten Township, Keiyo North Sub County in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, jointly with others not before court, were found conducting scientific research by obtaining blood samples mainly from athletes and non-athletes without a license from the National Commission for Scientific, Technological, and Innovation,” the charge sheet read.
Another issue that got the duo into trouble with the law enforcers was that they ran a private medical laboratory without approval, contrary to Section 21 of the Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technological Act of 1999.
“Run IX Athletes Camp in Keiyo South jointly with others not before the court without lawful authority were found undertaking private practice as medical laboratory technologists at the athletes’ camp, which was not registered and licensed by The Kenya Medical Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB),” the second count stated.
The third charge said that at the Irong location in Keiyo North, together with others, and not before court, the two were found handling medical laboratory reagents that had not been validated by KMLTTB.
“This court notes that you have pleaded guilty to the offence at the first instance.
“You will therefore serve in jail two years of imprisonment for count one, two months of imprisonment for the second count, four months for the third offense, and lastly, one year in jail for the fifth count. In the alternative, you will pay a total fine of Kh400,000 in default,” the magistrate said.
Moreillon and his co-accused were also found with reagents that included Surgical Spirit (COVIGEN), BD vacutainer, Gel & Clot activator for blood collection, alcohol swabs, and HB calibrations.
The fourth count centred on handling invalid laboratory equipment contrary to Regulation 3 of the KMLTTB Act of 1999.
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