KEMSA Kicks Off National Stocktake to Enhance Health Supply Chain Oversight

In a decisive move to strengthen Kenya’s health supply chain, the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has launched a nationwide stocktaking initiative across all its warehouses. The two-week exercise, officially commissioned today by CEO Dr. Waqo Ejersa, is designed to tighten inventory controls, enhance transparency, and improve service delivery to healthcare facilities nationwide.

The annual stocktake involves the physical verification of Health Products and Technologies (HPTs) against KEMSA’s digital inventory records.

This process ensures that what is recorded in the system matches the actual stock on the shelves—an essential step in preventing stockouts, overstocks, pilferage, and wastage.

“Stocktaking is the backbone of a resilient supply chain,” said Dr. Ejersa. “It gives us real-time visibility into what we have, what we need, and where we must intervene. This isn’t just a numbers exercise—it’s a safeguard that helps us save lives through accurate forecasting, timely procurement, and efficient last-mile delivery.”

By aligning inventory data with physical reality, the exercise directly contributes to improved planning and budgeting. It also supports compliance with public sector audit requirements. Most importantly, it builds confidence in the health system by ensuring consistent availability of essential medicines and medical commodities at the point of care.

As Kenya advances toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC), this stocktake reinforces KEMSA’s commitment to data-driven decision-making and integrity in supply chain management. 

The results will help the Authority optimize its distribution network across all 47 counties, supporting equitable access to quality healthcare for all Kenyans.