NAIROBI- Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has urged the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) to expedite ongoing reforms and fully align with the government’s transformative health agenda under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which is anchored on Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Speaking during a high-level strategic engagement with the KEMSA Board and senior management at the Agency’s headquarters in Embakasi, Nairobi,
CS Duale emphasized the critical role KEMSA plays in delivering efficient, ethical, and accountable health supply systems to support the rollout of Taifa Care across the country.
“The health of our citizens depends on a supply system that works—one that counties and communities can trust,” said the CS. “KEMSA must become a high-performing, agile, and ethical institution that delivers for the people.”
CS Duale called on the Agency to fast-track the finalization and operationalization of the regulations under the KEMSA Act and ensure the full activation of regional warehouses and last-mile delivery mechanisms.
He emphasized that restoring public confidence in the national health supply chain requires institutional efficiency, reform, and integrity at all levels.
During my official visit to KEMSA, I chaired a meeting with all staff, urging unity, integrity and accountability in driving the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
I underscored KEMSA's critical role in the rollout of Taifa Care, especially its shift to a demand-driven… pic.twitter.com/1VvwpBI9ni
— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) July 1, 2025
During the engagement, KEMSA CEO Dr. Ejersa Waqo presented progress updates on the Agency’s performance improvement strategies.
These include ambitious targets to achieve a throughput of KES 13 billion, raise the Order Fill Rate (OFR) above 90%, and realize four stock turns annually.
The CS lauded KEMSA’s recent introduction of a shift system in the fourth quarter of the financial year, which has significantly improved operational efficiency. The order turnaround time has reduced, and the OFR has improved from 39% to 51%.
He expressed optimism that the Agency will attain a 100% OFR, a key milestone in the successful implementation of Taifa Care.
In addition to pushing for operational efficiency, CS Duale urged KEMSA staff to uphold unity, accountability, and integrity in support of the UHC agenda. He reiterated the Ministry’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, stressing that ethical leadership is essential to restoring trust in public health institutions.
Highlighting broader health sector reforms, the CS noted the recent deployment of 6,484 healthcare interns across the country, aimed at strengthening service delivery under UHC.
CS Duale was accompanied by Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth. They were received by KEMSA Board Chairperson Hon. Samuel Tunai and CEO Dr. Ejersa Waqo, alongside senior Agency officials.
The visit underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring an efficient and trustworthy medical supply system, as a cornerstone of equitable and accessible healthcare for all Kenyans.
