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The Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa) board has raised alarm that county governments still owe it a whopping Sh3.2 billion thus affecting their programmes.

Most of the counties were in dire need of uninterrupted supplies of medicine, yet they were unable to offset payment for supplies made in good time.

Speaking during the launch of Kemsa Kisumu Regional Drugs Distribution Centre yesterday, agency chair Irungu Nyakera appealed to counties to pay their debts in good time to avoid delay in supplies.

“We are at times stranded what to do. When we receive request for supplies from counties that owe us a lot with little commitment to offset the arrears,” he said.

Nyakera asked governors to facilitate quick payments of the debts owed to Kemsa to avoid suspending deliveries or delaying supplies in real time.

The regional distribution centre is part of Kemsa’s programme to process Essential Medical Supplies and Programme Orders valued at Sh295.4 million.

The programme is expected to expand to serve 19 counties in the region.

Distribution centre is expected to efficiently manage distribution of medical supplies within the lake region, reducing order turnaround by approximately 40 per cent.

“Decentralisation of Kisumu and later Mombasa hubs has been triggered by the growing demand to bring services closer to Mwananchi in,” he said.

Governors decried inefficient supplies of drugs in real time, saying sometimes Kemsa supplies non-essential drugs, which are not in high demand and which ended up rotting or expiring in the health stores.

Vihiga Governor Dr Wilberforce Ottichilo raised the red flag, saying some of the essential drugs they need aren’t supplied. “Our biggest challenge has been getting essential drugs when we make orders and this has led to delays in payment,” he said.

Health budget

Ottichilo said the percentage of health budget was still low and asked the Government to increase allocation toward general healthcare, primary and secondary.

His Bungoma countrepart Ken Lusaka echoed similar sentiments, and appealed to Kemsa to give them ample time to offset the debts.

“We know, we owe you a lot, but please, do not stop supplies, because we have to save lives. We commit to pay, ultimately when funds are available,” he claimed

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha said the launch of the centre will reduce the turn around time for supplies to counties in the lake region within the shortest time possible.

“There is no reason for health facilities around the lake region economic bloc now to wait for two days for supplies. We must now expedite supplies in real time,” she said. Nakhumicha explained that launch was in line with the government’s agenda to deliver the Universal Health Cover dream.

Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili asked the CS to reign in on cartels in the sector. “Don’t allow the cartels to spoil the good health programmes the government is doing.

In attendance were National Assembly Health Committee chair led by Pukose Robert, MPs Joshua Oron (Kisumu Central), James Nyikal (Seme), Martin Owino (Ndhiwa). Also present were Kemsa acting CEO Andrew Mulwa, acting Health Director General Patrick Amoth, Kisumu Health CEC Gregory Ganda.