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Kenya

KEMSA board dissolved over inefficiency

NAIROBI, July 10 – The Government on Thursday dissolved the Board of Directors of Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) over alleged mismanagement.

Medical Services Minister Anyang Nyong’o also sent on compulsory leave the agency’s Chief Executive Officer Charles Kandie.

“Kemsa was established to assist in the procurement of drugs but for the past one year, there has been a problem,” Nyong’o said when he made the announcement.

Kandie’s Deputy, John Munyu, was appointed CEO in an acting capacity.

Nyong’o noted that those in top management were not delivering as mandated and hospitals countrywide were lacking essential drugs, and that some of the medical equipment the institution provided was outdated.

“We have taken these steps to ensure that this important institution rises to the occasion and performs the duties for which it was established,” Nyong’o stated.

The Minister further set up a taskforce led by Dr Richard Muga, a former Director of Medical Services, to investigate the institution and provide the government with recommendations on the provision of drugs and medical supplies in a responsive, cost-effective, efficient and equitable manner in all parts of the country.

Other members of the taskforce are Permanent Secretaries, Hezron Nyangito, James Nyikal and Joseph Kinyua as well as the Director of Medical Services Francis Kimani.

Erastus Rweria, Maureen Nafula, Julius Kemboy and Adan Khalif are also members of the team.

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The team, which will be based at the KEMSA headquarters, is also expected to analyse the performance of KEMSA, and look into complaints that have been raised regarding the agency’s performance, including issues of lack of transparency, inefficiency and unnecessary bottlenecks in the delivery system.

It will also review all the policy documents in the area of procurement, supply and distribution of drugs and other medical supplies, and make a report of its findings available to the Minister within 90 days.

The agency was established in the year 2000 as a state corporation responsible for health, and charged with developing and operating a viable commercial service for the procurement and sale of drugs and medical supplies.

It was also tasked with providing a secure source for drugs and medical supplies to public institutions and advising health boards and the public on matters relating to procurement, cost effectiveness and the use of drugs and other medical supplies.

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