KEMSA Boss Dr. Waqo Ejersa Takes Reform Crusade to Counties, Begins with Strategic Visit to Kilifi

The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Waqo Ejersa, has taken his reform agenda to the counties, beginning with a high-level visit to Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro.

The engagement marks a decisive shift from internal reforms to on-the-ground action aimed at improving service efficiency, strengthening county partnerships and ensuring timely access to Health Products and Technologies (HPTs) nationwide.

Dr. Ejersa’s visit, his first to Kilifi since assuming office underscores KEMSA’s new customer-centered approach that prioritizes accountability, responsiveness and results within the national health supply chain.

“We are taking reforms from the boardroom to the field,” said Dr. Ejersa. “This is about listening to counties, acting fast and ensuring that medical supplies reach every facility without delay.”

He reaffirmed that KEMSA’s transformation is focused on enhancing the availability and affordability of HPTs across all 47 counties.

“We are pushing our Order Fill Rate (OFR) above 90%, a reflection of our commitment to serve Kenyans better,” he said. “The goodwill from counties like Kilifi reinforces our determination to sustain this transformation.”

Recently, KEMSA processed orders from Kilifi at 94.9%, Baringo at 99% and Makueni at 98.5%, a performance that reflects significant improvement from previous years.

Dr. Ejersa also highlighted KEMSA’s ongoing financial reforms, including strategic partnerships such as the one with KCB to strengthen financial sustainability and improve efficiency.

“We are overhauling our product pricing to make HPTs more accessible and affordable for all facilities,” he noted. 

“Kilifi is one of our star counties and we are determined to build on that momentum. Our goal is simple — to make Universal Health Coverage a reality.”

KEMSA has realised better prices from recent procurements that has facilitated downward price adjustments, making HPTs more affordable and accessible, a key step in driving the attainment of the UHC agenda.

Since taking the helm, Dr. Ejersa has led bold institutional changes that have transformed operational efficiency, raising KEMSA’s OFR from 39% to 67% in just one year.

Accompanied by senior officials from the Commercial and Finance Directorates, his visit to Kilifi focused on identifying service delivery gaps, resolving logistical bottlenecks, and reinforcing structured debt repayment frameworks to promote transparency and financial discipline.

Kilifi County remains a key KEMSA partner, with an annual HPTs budget of KSh 850 million for FY 2025/26 — including KSh 450 million for pharmaceuticals and KSh 200 million for non-pharmaceuticals. 

This allocation supports seven sub-counties and 157 health facilities comprising ten Level 4 hospitals, twelve health centres, and 136 dispensaries. 

Despite a legacy debt, the county has demonstrated fiscal responsibility through consistent repayments.

Governor Gideon Mung’aro lauded KEMSA’s transformation journey and reaffirmed Kilifi’s commitment to partnership.

“KEMSA has come a long way and we recognize the progress made in strengthening the national supply chain,” said Governor Mung’aro. “We commit to settling KSh 50 million every month to clear our obligations with KEMSA. We are also tightening our inventory management systems and urge KEMSA to support us in developing labeling solutions to curb pilferage once commodities reach our facilities.”

Operational gains from KEMSA’s reforms are already visible. The Order Turnaround Time for hospitals has dropped from over two weeks to about one week, while for primary health facilities, it now stands at under ten days. 

The Authority has also introduced a shift system and an express counter for small orders, alongside digitization initiatives such as the Logistics Management Information System (LMIS) and AI-driven stock prediction models.

Additionally, KEMSA has deployed E-locks to prevent pilferage and an Electronic Proof of Delivery (E-POD) system that confirms deliveries in real-time, boosting transparency and accountability across the supply chain.

Beyond logistics, Dr. Ejersa’s visit included tours of KEMSA-supported Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, part of a broader strategy to align the Authority’s community investments with Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage agenda.

“KEMSA’s transformation is not just structural, it’s cultural,” Dr. Ejersa emphasized. “We are rebuilding trust, driving efficiency and delivering results that counties can see and citizens can feel.”

The Kilifi engagement now sets the pace for a nationwide, CEO-led county outreach programme designed to anchor KEMSA’s transformation at the grassroots. 

Through improved efficiency, fair pricing, and strengthened partnerships, KEMSA is ensuring equitable and reliable access to essential health products for all Kenyans.