Inside CS Nakhumicha's Meeting With Irungu Nyakera To Battle KEMSA Crisis

Newly appointed chairman of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) Irungu Nyakera, on Tuesday, May 16 met Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha at her office for their first face-to-face interaction hours after a grand shakeup on KEMSA by President William Ruto.

The Ministry of Health in a statement revealed that the meeting wa aimed at addressing the challenges facing the embattled agency, including an alleged new scandal that forced The Global Fund to cancel a Ksh3.7 billion mosquito nets tender.

"In a bid to address the challenges faced by the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), Health CS Nakhumicha S. Wafula and the newly appointed Chairperson, Mr Irungu Nyakera, engaged in a productive discussion on the ongoing reform process.

KEMSA Chairman Irungu Nyakera(Left) and Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha (Right) on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Ministry of Health offices. /MINISTRY OF HEALTH

"The primary objective of these reforms is to streamline healthcare services across the country," the statement read in part.

During their meeting, the CS expressed unwavering support from the ministry and the government in driving the reform process at KEMSA.

The officials, Nyakera and Nakhumicha, explored critical aspects, including enhancing transparency and accountability in the procurement and distribution of medical supplies.

They emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in the health sector to ensure accessibility to high-quality healthcare services for all Kenyans.

"Health CS Nakhumicha expressed confidence in Irungu Nyakera’s leadership as the new Chairperson and extended her well wishes for his new role.

"With the government’s resolute commitment, it is anticipated that KEMSA will effectively carry out its mandate, leading to significant improvements in healthcare services in Kenya," the statement added.

The Ministry termed the meeting as one that marks a substantial stride towards improving the healthcare sector in Kenya. By implementing ongoing reforms at KEMSA, the aim is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery.

The Ministry further noted that transparent processes, accountability, and collaborative efforts among stakeholders will be pivotal in ensuring accessible and superior healthcare services for all Kenyans.

The Nakhumicha-led critical government body hailed KEMSA as being instrumental in providing medical supplies to healthcare facilities, but allegations of corruption and mismanagement have hindered its effectiveness and triggered a radical and comprehensive reform process to rectify the issues at the agency.

"Today, I wake up to a new role as the Chairperson of Kenya Medical Supplies Authority. I thank His Excellency President William Ruto for believing in me to deliver KEMSA from the mess.

"We will clean the mess, that I can assure Kenyans. It certainly won’t be easy, so help me God," stated Nyakera after his appointment was made public by President Ruto through a statement.

Ruto appointed Nyakera to the position on Monday, May 15, through a gazette notice after dissolving the previous board and revoking the appointment of the chairperson.

The Global Fund was forced to cancel the mosquito nets tender owing to KEMSA's irregular procurement process.

The foreign agency had discovered irregularities on KEMSA's part during the procurement of the long-lasting insecticide mosquito nets, raising an issue with KEMSA's technical evaluation committee report, citing multiple procurement gaps, including lack of pagination, contention on request for a manufacturing certificate from a manufacturer, and lack of uniformity in identifying the winning and losing bids.

KEMSA premises in Nairobi. /FILE