KEMSA CEO on Impact Tour of Revamped Mtwapa Drug Store as Reform Gains Ground

Under the warm Kilifi sun, where the hum of community life meets the call for better healthcare, KEMSA’s reform story unfolds with renewed purpose.

In Mtwapa, the heart of Kilifi’s bustling health network, KEMSA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Waqo Ejersa arrived with a team of senior officials on a mission beyond inspection, a journey to witness impact, affirm progress and strengthen partnership. His destination: the refurbished Mtwapa Health Centre drug store, a once-humble facility now reborn through KEMSA’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

The visit, part of KEMSA’s ongoing county engagement campaign, marked another step in translating reform from policy papers into people’s lives, ensuring that every infrastructure investment speaks to efficiency, accountability and improved health outcomes.

The Mtwapa facility, officially opened by Governor Gideon Mung’aro in September 2023, now stands as a symbol of renewal and reliability. Renovated and equipped by KEMSA, the store has been transformed into a modern hub for safe, organized and timely distribution of essential Health Products and Technologies (HPTs).

Accompanied by Commercial Director Eliud Muriithi, Finance and Accounts Director Waiganjo Karanja,and the Coast Region Sales & Marketing team, Dr. Ejersa commended the quality of the refurbishment and its lasting value to the county health system.

“We are turning reforms into results,” he remarked. “This project shows how strategic partnerships with counties can move us closer to a future where no facility faces a stock-out and every Kenyan receives care when and where it’s needed.”

Since its completion, the Mtwapa store has enhanced the management and flow of medical commodities, improving reliability and access across facilities in the sub-county. The result: stronger inventory control, reduced wastage, and a seamless link in the county’s health supply chain, exactly the kind of transformation KEMSA’s reform agenda envisions.

Governor Gideon Mung’aro commended the initiative as a model of collaboration between national and county governments, noting that the success of health delivery lies in mutual accountability and shared goals.

“KEMSA’s partnership has brought real change to how we manage our health commodities,” said Governor Mung’aro. “We are committed to sustaining this progress through timely payments, efficient systems and continuous collaboration. Together, we can ensure every health facility in Kilifi runs smoothly and reliably.”

As the tour concluded, the visit served as a vivid reminder that reform is not just about restructuring institutions, it’s about restoring confidence, deepening partnerships and delivering visible value to communities. In Mtwapa, that promise is already taking shape.