Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has started what could possibly be a solution to the huge wastage of health products that was recently witnessed when drugs worth Ksh98 billion expired at its stores, and which requires a staggering Ksh600 million to dispose of. 

This has led to countrywide criticism with Kenyans inquiring how the country ended up here, when clinics and hospitals are struggling, patients are being turned away, and essential medicines are recorded as out of stock. 

“This is not just inefficiency, it’s a betrayal of public trust and a violation of basic human rights,” a Kenyan took to her social media space to lament. 

However, KEMSA on July 4, 2025, announced that it had kicked off its annual nationwide stocktaking exercise with the institution’s CEO, Dr Ejersa Waqo, stating that this move is aimed at driving accuracy, accountability, and operational excellence across the country’s health supply chain.

“This is not just a routine check—it’s a critical foundation for accountability, operational efficiency, and reliable service delivery,” he stated in a statement. 

Waqo emphasised that accurate records mean better forecasting, and smarter procurement, and ensure that essential medicines and supplies are always available when and where they’re needed. 

He said that as the country pushes toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the initiative positions the authority to forecast demand more accurately, reduce expiries, minimise waste, and ensure continuous access to life-saving commodities across all 47 counties. 

By embracing transparency, accuracy, and efficiency, Waqo said Kemsa continues its transformation into a demand-driven, data-powered institution—capable of delivering quality, timely, and affordable medical supplies across the country. 

“This is how we build trust in the system—through data, discipline, and delivery,” he added.

“KEMSA is evolving into a fully demand-driven, data-powered supply chain institution—and this stocktake is a cornerstone of that transformation.” 

The two-week exercise, covering all Kemsa warehouses, Waqo said is a key pillar in the authority’s strategy to ensure accurate inventory of Health Products and Technologies (HPTs) and aligning physical stocks with digital records in the Warehouse Management Systems (WMS). 

The final results will be posted in the authority’s Financial Statements, in line with International Public Sector Accounting Standards, good accounting practices, and regulatory guidelines.