KEMSA under scrutiny again over irregular medical supplies deal with Angelica Medical

KEMSA, which has faced procurement scandals in the past, struggled to explain the irregularities during the session.
The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) is once again under fire following new concerns over how it handled a major procurement deal with Angelica Medical Supplies Limited, a local supplier.
MPs are now questioning how KEMSA received medical items before the necessary contracts were signed, pointing to major flaws in its procurement procedures.
More To Read
- Ruto tackles ‘hakuna dawa’ in hospitals with Sh10bn boost to KEMSA, county payments push
- Duale: All public health facilities to transition to full digital system by October 1
- KEMSA releases ARVs targeting one million HIV patients after concerns over US aid cuts
- Auditor-General faults Nakuru Level 5 Hospital for stocking expired drugs worth Sh1.8 million
- Senators call for urgent restructuring of Kemsa as counties fail to clear Sh6.2 billion
- Kemsa faces cash crisis, seeks Sh5 billion to restock essential medicines
This came to light during a session held by the Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture (PIC-SSAA), which is reviewing the Auditor-General’s reports on KEMSA’s audited financial accounts from 2019/2020 to 2023/2024.
The committee, led by MP Emmanuel Wangwe, grilled KEMSA officials on irregularities found in the supporting documents for the supply of personal protective equipment and other items.
Key concerns were raised over the timing of critical documents.
MPs noted that goods from Angelica Medical Supplies were delivered in April 2020, yet acceptance letters bore May dates, while the actual contract was signed two months later, in June.
“There’s a clear mismatch in the sequence of events. You cannot have goods delivered in April 2020, acceptance letters dated May, and then a contract signed two months later in June. It raises serious accountability questions,” said the committee chair.
The MPs described the transaction as legally questionable. They were particularly troubled by the fact that the delivery happened before any contract existed, which undermined the rules that govern public procurement.
According to the documents, some goods arrived before KEMSA had the authority to accept or verify them.
The committee also found that the acceptance letters were issued after delivery but before contract signing, creating more confusion about the process followed.
KEMSA, which has faced procurement scandals in the past, struggled to explain the irregularities during the session.
Adding to the doubts, some of the goods delivered were not verified on time. This lapse, MPs noted, was another sign of weak oversight and poor compliance with procurement regulations.
“The government cannot give you any contract without documentation. You present that document during tendering. If you later seek payment without a proper contract in place, who will be accountable?” asked Othaya MP Michael Wainaina.
MPs further questioned why items marked as emergency supplies were not delivered on time. While KEMSA claimed these goods were urgently needed due to Covid-19, the committee heard that some were delivered two to three weeks late.
The authority, however, blamed the delays on Covid-19 restrictions, including lockdowns and reduced movement of goods.
The committee was not satisfied with this explanation and pressed for accountability, especially considering KEMSA’s past controversies during the pandemic.
To get to the bottom of the issue, the committee has demanded that KEMSA submit all original and complete documents related to the procurement in question.
Top Stories Today
- SUPKEM urges Kenyans to support Ruto’s nominees to IEBC
- Amnesty urges Kenya to publish labour deal with Saudi Arabia
- Amnesty urges Saudi to scrap kafala system abusing Kenyan workers
- Refugee mother seeks justice after sons abducted from Hagardera
- Kenya warns citizens to avoid India-Pakistan border amid clashes
- Suspect in Kasipul MP's murder was hired assassin, court told
- Kenya, Finland sign MoUs on political dialogue and peace mediation
- Four critically injured after Matatu overturns in Nyeri
- DCI summons Mukuru activists over suspected links to BBC documentary
- Finland's President makes historic visit to Kenya as Nordic-Africa ties deepen
- AUSSOM on the brink: Funding crisis threatens AU's Somalia mission
- Treasury proposes budget cuts for Moi, Egerton and TUK amid wage woes
- Betting firms may be rigging outcomes to avoid taxes, MPs warn
- Kenyans given until May 21 to submit views on IEBC nominees
- Algeria orders expulsion of French embassy staff over "protocol breaches"
- Blanch, don’t soak: Chef Mohamud’s secret to perfectly crispy fries
- The hidden risks of trendy kitchenware in Kenya’s markets
- Aroko to visit late MP Were’s grave after detention, court told
- Gachagua officially quits UDA as he prepares to launch new party
- Inquest: Plainclothes police fired live rounds before Rex Masai’s death