By Dorothy Musyoka
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale has urged the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) to accelerate institutional reforms and align its operations with the government’s transformative health agenda under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), with a particular focus on achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Speaking during a strategic engagement with the KEMSA Board and senior management at the Agency’s headquarters in Embakasi, Nairobi, Hon. Duale underscored the critical role of KEMSA in restoring public confidence in Kenya’s health supply chain.
Hon. Duale called for the swift finalization and implementation of the regulations under the KEMSA Act to provide a strong legal and operational framework for the agency.
“KEMSA must become a high-performing, agile, and ethical institution that delivers for the people. The health of our citizens depends on a supply system that works one that counties and communities can trust,” he stated.
He also emphasized the urgent need to activate regional warehouses and last-mile delivery systems to enhance transparency, service delivery, and responsiveness to county and community health needs.
KEMSA CEO Dr. Ejersa Waqo briefed the CS on progress made, highlighting key reforms aimed at improving performance, including achieving a throughput target of KES 13 billion, raising the Order Fill Rate (OFR) to above 90%, and maintaining four stock turns annually.
Dr. Waqo also outlined the impact of the newly introduced shift system, which has already improved the OFR from 39% to 51% by reducing order turnaround time.
The CS expressed confidence in KEMSA’s ongoing transformation and expressed hope that the agency would soon achieve a 100% OFR to support the effective rollout of Taifa Care, the government’s flagship UHC program.
Hon. Duale was accompanied by the Director General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, and was received by KEMSA Board Chairperson Hon. Samuel Tunai and CEO Dr. Ejersa Waqo.