KEMSA Launches Nationwide Stocktaking to Strengthen Kenya’s Health Supply Chain

Nairobi, Kenya – July 2, 2025 — The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has kicked off its annual nationwide stocktaking exercise aimed at driving accuracy, accountability, and operational excellence across the country’s health supply chain.

The two-week exercise, covering all KEMSA warehouses, is a key pillar in the Authority’s strategy to ensuring accurate inventory of Health Products and Technologies (HPTs) and aligning physical stocks with digital records in the Warehouse Management Systems (WMS). The final results will be posted in KEMSA’s Financial Statements, in line with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), good accounting practices, and regulatory guidelines.

"This is not just a routine check—it’s a critical foundation for accountability, operational efficiency, and reliable service delivery," stated Dr. Waqo Ejersa, CEO, KEMSA. “Accurate records mean better forecasting, smarter procurement, and ultimately, saving lives by ensuring essential medicines and supplies are always available when and where they’re needed.”

Adding that “Stocktaking is not a backroom task—it’s a frontline tool in our mission to save lives. By knowing exactly what we have, where it is, and what condition it's in, we can plan smarter, respond faster, and deliver better.”

To preserve the integrity of the process, independent stock takers have been deployed across departments, while the Operations Directorate has been tasked with ensuring systematic arrangement of inventory and warehouse hygiene for precise counting and reconciliation.

The exercise involves the physical verification of stock against system records in the Logistics Management Information System (LMIS), capturing vital data including batch numbers and shelf life. The findings will feed directly into KEMSA’s financial statements, in full compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and best practice in public resource management.

With Kenya’s push toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC), this initiative positions KEMSA to forecast demand more accurately, reduce expiries, minimize waste, and ensure continuous access to life-saving commodities across all 47 counties.

By embracing transparency, accuracy, and efficiency, KEMSA continues its transformation into a demand-driven, data-powered institution—capable of delivering quality, timely, and affordable medical supplies across the country.

 “This is how we build trust in the system—through data, discipline, and delivery,” added Dr. Waqo. “KEMSA is evolving into a fully demand-driven, data-powered supply chain institution—and this stocktake is a cornerstone of that transformation.”