COUNTIES RECOGNISED FOR HEALTH BUDGET EXCELLENCE AS KEMSA HOSTS STRATEGIC NATIONAL WORKSHOP

Naivasha, Kenya – Thursday, 24^th July 2025….. The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has convened a strategic national workshop in Naivasha, bringing together County Pharmacists from all 47 counties, senior Ministry of Health officials from the Directorate of Health Products and Technologies (DHPT), and KEMSA’s leadership in a transformative push to align medical supply priorities with real-time health demands.

Running from 22nd to 25th July, the four-day forum is designed to accelerate reforms in Kenya’s devolved health system, celebrate counties that have excelled in strategic prioritization of medical supplies as a core component of healthcare delivery, and pave the way for a smarter, data-driven healthcare supply chain.

Organised by KEMSA’s Commercial Directorate, the event highlights counties that have consistently placed health at the centre of their planning by allocating dedicated budgets for Health Products and Technologies (HPT), honouring payments to KEMSA on time, and aligning procurement with the diverse, real-time health needs of their populations.

“This isn’t just another meeting—it’s a reset,” said Dr. Waqo Ejersa, CEO of KEMSA. “We are re-engineering our systems, policies, and partnerships so that every shilling count, every product matter, and no Kenyan is left without the medicine they need. The era of blind procurement is over.”

As part of the workshop’s theme, Delivering As One, KEMSA is honouring eleven counties for their outstanding performance in HPT management during the 2024–2025 financial year. These include Machakos, Kitui, Elgeyo Marakwet, Turkana, Mandera, Kwale, Nyeri, Meru, Narok, Kisumu, and Busia Counties—all recognised for their consistency in order placement, good credit management, and prioritization of KEMSA as their primary supplier for health commodities.

In parallel, 16 County Pharmacists have received individual recognition for exemplary leadership in health commodity management. Among those honoured are Dr. Alex Oindi (Machakos), Dr. Beatrice Muia (Kitui), Dr. Brian Muyokani (Turkana), Dr. Jerusa Oluhano (Vihiga), Dr. Kepher Mogere (Kisii), Dr. Nancy Olunga (Siaya), and Dr. Matthew Yegon (Bomet), each applauded for their commitment to timely procurement, debt management, stakeholder collaboration, and innovative strategies that improve health supply outcomes. Their dedication reflects a broader national effort to build a resilient, transparent, and people-centred health system.

“We’re building a supply chain anchored in data, not guesswork,” Dr. Ejersa explained. “Our new ERP system will turn frontline facility feedback into actionable insights. This is how we end stockouts, cut waste, and restore faith in our public health system.”

The forum also marks a critical step in KEMSA’s turnaround agenda, in response to Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale’s call for a smarter, technology-enabled supply chain. Central to this transformation is the rollout of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that captures real-time demand data from health facilities nationwide and guides precision procurement.

“This is about more than moving boxes, systems, and stocks. It’s about saving and transforming lives,” Dr. Ejersa stressed. “When county pharmacists tell us what’s needed and we act on it with speed and accuracy, we save lives.”

Dr. Ejersa also urged counties with outstanding debts to clear their balances with KEMSA to ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential medical commodities. He encouraged all counties to leverage on Social Health Authority (SHA) to expand universal access to quality healthcare services.

Acknowledging KEMSA’s not-for-profit commercial model where all revenues are reinvested into the national revolving fund Dr. Ejersa noted that financial constraints have prompted the Authority to rethink its business model in favour of becoming leaner, smarter, and more sustainable.

“We’re shifting gears,” he said. “Our target is to raise our Order Fill Rate to over 90% in the shortest time possible. This is just the beginning of our broader 2025–2030 Sustainable Growth Strategy.”

As the workshop came to close, KEMSA remains focused on reshaping Kenya’s healthcare supply system—one rooted in accountability, innovation, and a relentless commitment to the health and dignity of every Kenyan.

About KEMSA
The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) is a state corporation under the Ministry of Health, established under the KEMSA Act 2013. Its mandate includes procuring, warehousing, and distributing drugs and medical supplies for prescribed public health programs, the national strategic stock reserve, and essential health packages. KEMSA is committed to building a modern, efficient healthcare supply chain that saves and transforms lives.

For more information, please contact:
Elizabeth Mwai
Cell: 0720247383
Email: elizabeth.mwai@kemsa.co.ke