Monday, May 15, 2023 –President William Ruto has made drastic changes at the drugs agency following claims of mismanagement and runway corruption.
On Monday, May 15, Ruto moved to terminate the appointment of Josephine Mburu as the Principal Secretary, State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards over the alleged impropriety within the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority KEMSA.
Through Chief of Staff Felix Koskei, Ruto also sacked everybody in the board at KEMSA including its current chairman.
In their places came Irungu Nyakera as chairperson of the board and, as well, brought in four new appointees – namely FCPA Hezbon Oyieko Omollo, Bernard Kipkirui Bett, Dr. Jane Masiga and Jane Nyagaturi Mbatia.
President Ruto, in his capacity as the head of State, also suspended Terry Ramadhani as KEMSA Chief Executive Officer alongside eight other staff members who included Martin Wamwea (MOH) and Lenson Kariuki (MOH).
Others on the list included Pauline Duya (MOH), Livingstone Njuguna (MOH), Dr. Charles Kariuki Chege (MOH), Justus Kinoti (KEMSA), Cosmas Rotich (KEMSA) and Anthony Chege (KEMSA).
At the same time, the head of State appointed Dr. Andrew Mutava Mulwa as KEMSA’s Acting CEO.
The president seized the opportunity to advise the new appointees to carry on their duties with professionalism and accounatbility.
Ms Mburu had only served for five months.
Ruto went on to assure Kenyans that his government was committed to rebuilding the KEMSA supply chain management system for effectiveness and accountability.
“Therefore, in keeping with the Administration’s Health policy of “leaving no one behind”, the Administration will spare no effort in rebuilding the KEMSA supply chain management system so as to secure efficiency and accountability in the provision of medical supplies to all health facilities across our nation,” the head of state pointed out.
The news comes as The Global Fund was forced to cancel a sh 3.7 billion mosquito nets tender owing to KEMSA’s irregular procurement process.
Reacting to the appointments today, outspoken Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly MCA Robert Alai challenged Ruto to also sack the Cabinet Secretary and his Permanent Secretary for the circle to be complete
