The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has recognized 16 pharmacies across various counties for outstanding leadership in health commodity management, during a high-level national workshop held in Naivasha. The event brought together pharmacists from all 47 counties, senior officials from the Ministry of Health’s Directorate of Health Products and Technology (DPHT), and KEMSA leadership.

KEMSA CEO Dr. Waqo Ejersa described the workshop as a turning point in Kenya’s health supply chain strategy, emphasizing a shift from traditional procurement to a data-driven, demand-led model. “This isn’t just another meeting—it’s a reset,” said Dr. Ejersa. “We are re-engineering our systems, policies, and partnerships so that every shilling counts, every product matters, and no Kenyan is left without the medicine they need.”

At the center of the transformation is a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system designed to capture real-time demand data from health facilities nationwide. This system will enable precision procurement and improve supply efficiency across the board.

“This is about more than moving boxes, systems, and stocks. It’s about saving and transforming lives,” Dr. Ejersa noted. “When county pharmacists tell us what’s needed and we act on it with speed and accuracy, we save lives.”

He also called on counties to settle their outstanding debts to KEMSA, stressing that timely payments are critical to ensuring a seamless supply of essential health commodities.

As part of its 2025–2030 Sustainable Growth Strategy, KEMSA aims to become leaner, smarter, and more financially sustainable. A key performance goal is to increase the authority’s Order Fill Rate to over 90% in the shortest time possible.

The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment to collaboration between KEMSA and county health officials to ensure equitable access to essential medicines and medical supplies across Kenya.