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New Kemsa board reviews its structures

 

The newly reconstituted Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) board is currently reviewing its structures.

A review of the structures at the authority is happening at an ongoing three-day induction exercise.

Board members, led by the Acting CEO Dr Andrew Mulwa and Chair Irungu Nyakera told The Standard in an interview that they are discussing the key highlights that need to be fast-tracked in order to “reboot KEMSA's operational efficiency."

The highlight of the restructuring includes Kemsa's recovery, improvement in order fill rate and enhance relationships with stakeholders.

“We are steering the management towards developing a robust road map aimed at repositioning the organisation on the right track,” Dr Mulwa said.

Nyakera and Mulwa were appointed alongside Hezbon Omollo, Bernard Bett, Dr Jane Masiga and Ms Jane Mbatia, who are all board members.

The board was inaugurated by Health CS Susan Nakhumicha after the authority’s Executive CEO Terry Ramadhani was suspended.

Ms Ramadhani was suspended alongside chair Daniel Rono, following irregularities in tendering of long-lasting mosquito nets valued at Sh3.7 billion, money which the Kenyan government lost to an international supplier-Wambo.org.

Nakhumicha maintained her trust in the team, saying it was dedicated to ending graft which has tainted the image of the authority, regarded as an aggregator of health products and technologist.

During the inauguration, Nakhumicha directed the team to ensure health facilities across the country are adequately and optimally stocked with essential products.

Further, she warned of individual culprits who taint the image of the institution.

In the past, the authority has faced multiple damning scandals, in an issue that continues to affect the delivery of quality healthcare services across the country.

The authority came into the limelight in 2020, following the misappropriation of Sh7.8 billion in Covid-19 funds.                   

Ms Ramadhani replaced Johana Manjari, who was linked to the Sh7.8 billion Covid-19 graft.

Nakhumicha directed authorities investigating graft at the authority to speed up, for action. “Mine is to ask them to hasten and give us the results, they also cannot be investigating forever. Once we have feedback from them, we shall put a closure to this matter,” she said.

Meanwhile, Nyakera said the operation is ongoing smoothly at the authority.

Nyakera said all employees as per CS’s directive have reported back at work.

“Individuals who were working at home are back in the office. Having them back will revamp efficiency and service delivery across the country,” said Nyakera.

The more than 400 employees had been working from home since November 2021, in what was referred to as re-structuring at the authority, following the misappropriation of Sh7.8 billion Covid-19 funds.

Last week, the authority placed all the employees on performance contracts, in a move aimed at ensuring accountability and productivity.

The signing of a performance contract he said would also help implement Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a key agenda by the Kenya Kwanza government.

Further, he said improving services at the authority will help implement the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.

Nyakera maintained the need to uphold ethical practices at the authority through performance evaluation.

“It is our responsibility as Kemsa staff and management to go beyond the call of duty to deliver medical supplies to all Kenyans with passion and commitment,” said the chair.

In a lengthy media interview two weeks ago, President William Ruto assured Kenyans of his plan to ‘clean up’ the authority.

However, the president did not give finer details on the plans, meant to restore sanity at the authority.

“Watch this space, what you have said is correct. I am doing something about it, and I do not want to speak about it now, you will see results,” said the President, during the media interview.    BY THE STAR   

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