Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has told a Senate committee that the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) is no longer dependable, forcing counties to seek alternative sources for essential medical supplies to keep hospitals running.

Addressing the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, Kilonzo said public hospitals have been facing serious shortages due to Kemsa’s failure to deliver needed commodities on time.

He added that despite the urgency and importance of the supplies, Kemsa continues to meet only a fraction of the demand.

“Stock-outs are a challenge in all hospitals. Kemsa cannot provide counties with the required commodities on time. It’s a reality we must face,” the governor said.

He revealed that Makueni has already withdrawn from Kemsa and adopted a new approach using the Maisha Meds platform, which allows the county to track deliveries and ensure essential drugs are available in hospitals.

“Makueni County government got a supplier whose delivery rate is 92 per cent for essential commodities. We listed up to 200 essential drugs. We have pulled out of Kemsa until it improves supply,” Kilonzo said.

The governor was responding to an Auditor-General’s audit on Sh39.8 million spent on medical commodities in the county. While defending the expenditure, Kilonzo said most counties are overwhelmed because they receive minimal supplies from Kemsa, yet the demand continues to rise.

“We have been left in debt. The money is hardly enough and commodities alone cost up to Sh1 billion. The funds can only purchase enough for a month. Because of high demand, the commodities will be depleted in just two months,” he said.

He explained that Makueni has accumulated a medical debt of Sh284 million despite efforts to improve health service delivery, including implementation of the Facility Improvement Fund.

Kilonzo further said that the lack of digital systems in many county hospitals has contributed to artificial drug shortages caused by dishonest practices. He praised Maisha Meds for offering transparency and accountability by monitoring every drug that is delivered and used.

“We do not have a system that checks the resources. Maisha Meds records every drug that comes. It is not about trust. No doctor can issue a prescription for a drug that is not in hospital,” he said.

The governor urged counties to consider alternative solutions as Kemsa’s inefficiencies continue to undermine healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.