Virtual Kemsa staff ordered back to work
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha yesterday ordered all Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) employees who have been working virtually to report to work this morning.
She instructed the new board to ensure that everyone who works at the institution resumes physical duties at 8am without fail.
During the inauguration of the new board of the institution, Nakhumicha expressed concern over the payment of more than 200 workers — allegedly working from home — even after the lifting of the Covid-19 health restrictions.
She emphasised the importance of responsibility and accountability.
“I hereby direct the CEO, to ensure that effective tomorrow morning, the more than 200 staff working from home for Kemsa, should report to work at 8 am,” she directed.
“It does not make sense, it is irresponsible to have paid over 200 people for two years, then sitting at home in the name of Covid-19, yet we all go to our office nowadays,” the CS stated.
Nakhumicha made an emotional commitment to fight corruption within her ministry, promising that no government officials implicated in graft scandals will be spared, and expressed confidence the new board will help clean the scandal-riddled Kemsa.
“I believe we have the right team to assist the president achieve his mandate, but most importantly ensure that Kenyans access health commodities, as, and when they need them, at the most affordable price,” she stated.
The CS assured Kenyans that the new board members were carefully selected and have the ability to restore integrity in the institution, ensuring timely access to healthcare commodities for Kenyans.
New board members
The new board members include former Principal Secretary, Irungu Nyakera who was appointed by President William Ruto as the chairperson. Other members are Hezborn Oyieko Omollo, Bernard Kipkirui Bett, Dr Jane Masiga and Jane Mbatia, a representative of the Council of Governors (CoG).
“The chair here has accolades on what he has achieved in other institutions...
“Him and I have one thing in common. That we are members of the Academy of the most influential persons of African descent who are influencing healthcare in the country, and this is not a mean achievement,” said Nakhumicha, noting that Nyakera has experience on matters of governance having worked in the US and in Kenya as a PS.
On Omollo, she pointed out that he was an accredited accountant, and not just a CPA but a fellow. “Fellows are people who have a keen eye to details on matters of auditing systems,” she said, asking Omollo to employ his expertise to the institution.
She said Bett has served as a member of the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) Board, and having served his people as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the 11th Parliament, he has the requisite experience to drive the institution forward.
“On her part, Dr Masiga as a renowned pharmacist and having served in the Mission for Essential Drugs - MEDs - for more than 30 years has what it takes to streamline uninterrupted delivery of health commodities within the institution,” she added.
The CS also praised Andrew Mulwa, whom she appointed as the acting Chief Executive Officer, replacing suspended Terry Ramadhani, as an accomplished systems manager.
“The choice of Dr Andrew Mulwa as the acting Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) Chief Executive Officer is based on his skills and expertise in putting together working systems and managing them.
“This is the reason the Ministry poached him from Makueni County where he served as the Health CEC, and had put in place a system that’s delivering for the county’s healthcare needs effectively,” Nakhumicha said.
This decision follows the recent dismissal of the former board by President William Ruto, citing mismanagement of the mosquito nets tender.
Health PS Josephine Mburu and the entire previous board led by former Keiyo South MP Daniel Rono were relieved of their positions. The suspension came after the Global Fund canceled Kemsa’s procurement process, which appeared to favour a bidder who did not meet the mandatory requirements.
“I want to let Kenyans know that the board we have put in place comprises people I am convinced are going to clean up this institution and ensure that it will deliver on its mandate and, ensure that we have health products and technologies and Kenyans are going to access them,” she said and vowed that she is going to uproot corrupt individuals at the institutions. The tender worth Sh3.7 billion shillings was for the supply of treated mosquito nets made of both polyethylene and polyester. The Global Fund records show that the tender evaluation excluded the only company, China’s Tianjin Yorkool, that met all the required conditions under both Kenyan and Global Fund procurement laws and guidelines.
