The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has commended 11 counties for their exemplary performance in health financing and prompt medical supplies procurement, as it rolls out a new accountability-driven strategy to improve Kenya’s devolved healthcare system.

Machakos, Kitui, Elgeyo Marakwet, Turkana, Mandera, Kwale, Nyeri, Meru, Narok, Kisumu, and Busia were recognised for prioritising health in their development plans.

KEMSA noted that these counties have regularly allocated funds for Health Products and Technologies (HPTs), cleared pending payments on time, and submitted consistent orders that reflect local healthcare needs.

“This is not business as usual it’s a total reset,” said KEMSA CEO Dr Waqo Ejersa. “We’re overhauling systems and embracing accountability so that every shilling works, every product counts, and no Kenyan is denied access to essential medicine.”

The recognition was made during a four-day strategic workshop held in Naivasha, attended by pharmacists from all 47 counties, senior officials from the Ministry of Health, and KEMSA leadership.

The forum, held under the theme Delivering As One, focused on strengthening procurement systems, streamlining health commodity management, and aligning supply with actual demand.

In addition to celebrating the 11 counties, KEMSA honoured 16 county pharmacists for their leadership in managing health supply chains.

Among those recognised were Dr Alex Oindi (Machakos), Dr Beatrice Muia (Kitui), and Dr Brian Muyokani (Turkana), as well as others who had shown excellence in procurement, debt clearance, and innovation.

A major feature of the workshop was the launch of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system aimed at capturing live data from health facilities to guide evidence-based procurement decisions.
“Guesswork is over,” Dr Ejersa declared. “We are now building a supply chain grounded in data, not assumptions.”

He urged counties with pending debts to clear them to avoid interruptions in medical supplies and encouraged them to take advantage of the Social Health Authority (SHA) to expand healthcare access.

KEMSA now operates under a not-for-profit commercial model, reinvesting its income into a national revolving fund to support the supply of medical commodities.

Dr Ejersa said the agency is working to improve its Order Fill Rate to over 90 percent as part of its 2025–2030 Sustainable Growth Strategy.

“We’re becoming leaner, smarter and more sustainable focused on restoring confidence in Kenya’s public health supply system,” he said.