Dr Waqo Erjesa, a malaria expert, is the new CEO of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa).

The agency’s board picked Erjesa (pictured) over two other individuals, including acting chief executive Andrew Mulwa.
In the interviews, Erjesa came second behind Mulwa, scoring 83 percent while the latter’s 84 percent.

But the board settled on Erjesa, who was making his second attempt to get the position, having missed it in 2018 when he lost even after finishing first in the interviews.

He is the fourth chief executive at the agency in a span of four years. John Manjari served in 2018 before he was hounded out at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and replaced by Terry Ramadhani, who was sacked in the wake of a scandal involving the procurement of nets.

Erjesa has 15 years’ experience in the health sector, having headed the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Lung Diseases.

He also at one time headed the National Malaria Control Programme, where he successfully mobilised over $200 million from the Global Fund, USAID, and DFID to sustain universal coverage of malaria control interventions.