The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has launched a nationwide stocktaking initiative aimed at enhancing efficiency, accountability, and transparency within the country’s health supply chain.
This initiative involves comprehensive audits of medical commodities across all KEMSA warehouses and health facilities, ensuring accurate inventory records and optimal distribution of essential medicines and medical supplies. It is part of ongoing reforms at KEMSA designed to streamline operations, minimize waste, and strengthen service delivery in Kenya’s public healthcare system.
KEMSA’s CEO, Dr. Waqo Ejersa, officially launched the initiative alongside senior management and staff. He highlighted its importance in safeguarding the integrity of Kenya’s medical supply system.
“This is not just a routine check; it’s a critical foundation for accountability, operational efficiency, and reliable service delivery,” Dr. Ejersa stated. “Accurate records lead to better forecasting, smarter procurement, and ultimately, saving lives by ensuring that essential medicines and supplies are always available when and where they’re needed.”
He further emphasized, “Stocktaking is not a backroom task—it’s a frontline tool in our mission to save lives. By knowing exactly what we have, where it is, and what condition it’s in, we can plan smarter, respond faster, and deliver better.”
To ensure impartiality, independent stock takers have been deployed across departments, while the Operations Directorate has been tasked with maintaining organized inventory and warehouse hygiene to facilitate accurate counting and reconciliation.
The process includes physically verifying inventory against records in the Logistics Management Information System (LMIS), capturing critical data such as batch numbers and expiry dates. The findings will be incorporated into KEMSA’s financial statements, in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
As Kenya advances its Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, the stocktaking initiative will enhance KEMSA’s ability to forecast demand, reduce waste, prevent stockouts, and ensure continuous access to life-saving health commodities across all 47 counties.
“This is how we build trust in the system—through data, discipline, and delivery,” Dr. Ejersa remarked. “KEMSA is evolving into a fully demand-driven, data-powered supply chain institution, and this stocktake is a cornerstone of that transformation.”
Through this exercise, KEMSA reaffirms its commitment to being a reliable, efficient, and transparent supplier of medical commodities for Kenya’s health sector.
KEMSA faces several challenges, including financial difficulties, supply chain inefficiencies, and issues related to transparency and accountability. These challenges affect its ability to effectively procure, store, and distribute essential medical supplies across Kenya.
In essence, the stocktaking initiative is part of broader reforms aimed at transforming KEMSA into a more transparent, responsive, and accountable institution within Kenya’s healthcare system.
