Health CS Fires 2 KEMSA Officials After 7 Days In Office

The two appointees alongside Mercy Chengoris were to serve for three years as members of the KEMSA board of directors...

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Mar 17, 2023 - 12:34 Updated: Mar 17, 2023 - 12:41
0
Health CS Fires 2 KEMSA Officials After 7 Days In Office
CS for Health Susan Nakhumicha being grilled by the National Assembly vetting committee. /FILE

Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Susan Nakhumicha Wafula shocked a section of Kenyans on Friday, March 17 by revoking the recent appointments of two board members of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).

In a Gazette Notice, Nakhumicha revoked the appointments of Wato Doko, and John Konchellah, just seven days after they were hired to the KEMSA board.

The two appointees alongside Mercy Chengoris were to serve for three years as members of the KEMSA board of directors, starting from March 10, 2023.

KEMSA premises in Nairobi. /FILE

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 5 (1) (e) of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority Act, as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Health revokes the appointment of above mentioned," read part of the notice.

The CS however did not disclose the reason for revoking the two appointees, with only Chengoris' appointment unaffected by the sudden changes, neither did she reveal whether any further changes to the KEMSA board are planned.

She had also appointed Jane Nyagaturi Mbatia under subsection (ea) of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority Act.

According to the Act, the CS should ensure that the appointments fulfil the requirements of the gender and regional balance as enshrined in the Constitution.

It also requires that at least one person be appointed from three categories, a procurement or supply chain management specialist, a pharmacist experienced in drug and medical supplies management, and one person with knowledge and experience in finance or commerce. 

It is worth it to note that President William Ruto recently appointed Daniel Rono as the chairperson of KEMSA, replacing Mary Chao Mwadime, who was appointed to the position in April 2021 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Mwadime's three-year term was still active when President Ruto made the appointment.

The CS had vowed to revoke KEMSA's procurement privileges as part of the planned reforms by the Ministry of Health if it was found to be unable to conduct its procurement duties.

"If KeMSA is unable to do procurement, then we will have to delegate the role to experts leaving Kemsa with warehousing and distribution," she disclosed.

Inside a KEMSA warehouse. /CAPITAL GROUP

Tags: