President Ruto appoints former Narok Governor as new KEMSA boss

President William Ruto has appointed the former governor of Narok, Samuel Tunai, to lead the scandal-plagued Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, revoking Irungu Nyakera's nomination in the process.

Tunai's appointment as chairperson comes at a time when Ruto's administration is working to improve efficiency at the agency in charge of supplying and distributing drugs and medical equipment to public health facilities across the country.

In a Gazette Notice dated August 22, Nyakera, who heads the little-known Farmers' Party has been replaced. He has been the head of the institution since May 15, 2023, and was to serve for three years.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 5 (1) (a) of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority Act, as read together with section 51 (1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, I... appoint Samuel Tunai as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority," the notice reads in part.

Tunai is now poised to serve for three years, with the appointment taking effect on August 23, 2024.

"The appointment of Irungu Nyakera is revoked," President Ruto said.

Nyakera, has, however, been handed a new job as the chairperson of the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC).

He will serve for three years. The appointment of Adelina Mwau as KICC chairperson has also been revoked.

Mwau, the ex-Makueni deputy governor, was appointed on April 19, 2023. She was also to serve for three years in office.

The shift at KEMSA comes at a time when the agency is defending itself against charges of significant violations of the law and billions of dollars in operational losses.

This comes after the Office of the Auditor General released a report indicating a potential loss of billions of shillings and legal infractions involving top administrators.

KEMSA said in a statement earlier this month that it had been alerted to stories in a local daily that the issues raised in the publication were incorrect.

"The Authority would like to clarify that a number of issues reported are inaccurate, non-factual, misleading and misrepresent activities implementation during the said period," the statement reads in part.

In response to charges that the authority had not made any headway despite a Sh300 million budget, KEMSA stated that the funds were set aside for the procurement of the ERP system.

According to KEMSA, the ERP system has been designed, and training is currently underway. It is planned to go live on December 18, 2024.

"It is also good to note that KEMSA is an agent of the Ministry of Health tasked with procuring, warehousing and distribution of HPTs. Partnership agreements are entered into with the government through the Ministry of Health," the statement reads.

KEMSA was accused of receiving Sh300 million for a change in management at the firm, which also outlined a reform plan.