Mwala MP wants national government to take over drug procurement

Mwala MP and UDA National Organising Secretary Vincent Kawaya speaking during a Boda Boda empowerment initiative in Mutomo, Kitui County/HANDOUT

Mwala MP and UDA National Organising Secretary Vincent Kawaya has proposed a bold shift in Kenya’s public health procurement system.

The MP is calling for the national government to take over the procurement of medical drugs and commodities through the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), rather than disbursing funds to county governments.

Speaking during a Boda Boda empowerment initiative in Mutomo, Kitui County, Kawaya attributed ongoing drug shortages in public hospitals to what he termed as persistent procurement failures by county administrations.

He accused governors of mismanaging funds allocated through the Social Health Authority (SHA) and shifting blame to President William Ruto's administration for health sector woes.

“Counties have been given funds, but people in hospitals still lack medicine. It is clear the problem is not with the national government, but with the inefficiency and corruption at the county level,” Kawaya said.

He vowed to pursue legal and political channels to have SHA funds for drugs and medical commodities redirected from counties directly to KEMSA.

Kawaya, a close ally of Ruto, emphasised that centralising procurement would help curb corruption and ensure timely and equitable distribution of medical supplies to public hospitals across the country.

“We cannot continue to allow Kenyans to suffer while resources are misused by a few individuals in the counties,” he added.

The proposal comes amid ongoing discussions around amendments to the Health Act 2017, which currently assigns county governments the responsibility for managing health facilities up to Level 5.

The national government retains oversight of health policy and standards.

The proposal is seen as part of a broader effort by the government to restore public trust in the health system and improve service delivery, particularly for the millions of Kenyans who rely on public health facilities for essential care.

If adopted, the move could mark a significant shift in the management of Kenya’s devolved health sector, potentially reigniting debate over the balance of power and responsibility between the national and county governments.