Ruto orders KEMSA reforms to end drug shortages in public hospitals
Ruto announced that the government is rolling out a comprehensive transformation plan to make the agency more efficient, sustainable, and dependable in ensuring constant access to essential medicines across the country.
The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has been directed to raise drug availability levels and modernise its systems following years of criticism over corruption scandals, inefficiencies and drug shortages that have crippled service delivery in public hospitals.
Speaking on Thursday, President William Ruto announced that the government is rolling out a comprehensive transformation plan to make the agency more efficient, sustainable, and dependable in ensuring constant access to essential medicines across the country.
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He noted that the bold reform agenda aims to address systemic weaknesses within KEMSA and ensure that hospitals nationwide have consistent access to essential drugs.
“We are undertaking a bold transformation of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to make it more efficient, sustainable and effective, raising its current drug availability rate from 48 per cent to 68 per cent,” Ruto said.
The reforms come after years of public concern over frequent drug shortages in public hospitals and delayed deliveries of medical commodities. KEMSA, the state agency responsible for procuring and distributing drugs, has faced persistent criticism over inefficiencies and corruption scandals that disrupted service delivery in many health facilities.
President Ruto said the ultimate goal of the ongoing reforms is to achieve full drug availability in all public hospitals by the end of the year.
“Our ultimate goal is to achieve a 100 per cent refill rate by the end of the year, ensuring consistent access to essential medicines and other commodities and thus improve health outcomes for all citizens,” he said.
As part of the broader plan to enhance healthcare delivery, the President also announced a Sh150 million investment to equip and upgrade a key hospital, saying the initiative is designed to guarantee modern facilities and restore dignity in public healthcare.
“We are further investing Sh150 million to equip and upgrade the hospital, guaranteeing modern facilities, quality care, and greater dignity in healthcare delivery,” Ruto said.
The reforms signal a renewed focus by the government to strengthen the medical supply chain and ensure that Kenyans, especially those in rural and underserved areas, can access reliable and affordable medical care.
The overhaul of KEMSA marks one of the government’s most decisive steps yet in addressing the gaps that have long weakened the public health system and burdened patients who are often forced to buy medicines out-of-pocket due to persistent stockouts in hospitals.
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