President William Ruto has announced that the government has initiated measures to tackle the persistent shortage of essential medicines in health facilities across the country.
Ruto said the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa) is being repositioned to play a central role in strengthening the medical supply chain, part of the government’s broader commitment to lowering healthcare costs and improving access to quality care.
He revealed that the government has already provided a Sh10 billion facility to enable Kemsa to increase its refill rate from the current 50 per cent to 100 per cent.
“They now have no absolute excuse not to supply every commodity required by the counties,” Ruto said.
The President made these remarks at State House while flagging off disease surveillance vehicles destined for the counties.
Present during the event were governors and other top health officials from both the national and county governments. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale was also in attendance.
He, however, urged the governors to ensure prompt payment for the commodities supplied to their counties by Kemsa.
“Counties must agree that as we settle their SHA claims, they also commit to paying for the medicines supplied,” Ruto said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to resolving the long-standing ‘hakuna dawa’ (no medicine) challenge, which he acknowledged remains a major concern for many Kenyans.
“That is the one thing still holding us back,” he said, adding that the collaborative framework involving Kemsa, the Social Health Authority (SHA), and county governments will guarantee Kenyans access to essential medicines at all public health facilities.
“Now that SHA is paying health facilities directly, there is every reason to ensure medicines are available,” he stressed.
The President also reassured employees of the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) that their jobs are secure during the transition to SHA.
This, as he highlighted the need for skilled personnel to effectively manage the new health insurance scheme. “As promised, NHIF staff have been given priority in the recruitment process.
Those not selected for positions within SHA will be redeployed to other roles within the public service,” he said.
“My assurance to all Kenyans is that no one will lose their job.”
Ruto further disclosed that the government is leveraging digital technology to make healthcare delivery paperless and more efficient within the next six months, with a focus on eliminating fraud.
A pilot programme is already underway in six counties.
