The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has announced a temporary suspension of services at its Nairobi Regional Distribution Centre to allow for its annual stock audit.

In an official notice shared on Tuesday, June 17, KEMSA confirmed the closure will run from Tuesday, July 1, to Friday, July 4, 2025. Operations will resume on Monday, July 7, 2025.

“We wish to notify our esteemed customers and the general public that we shall close our Nairobi Regional Distribution Centre for the annual stock-take effective Tuesday, July 1, to Friday, July 4, 2025,” the authority stated in a public post.

Services paused

During the four-day period, all receipt and dispatch of medical supplies will be put on hold. KEMSA noted that only emergency cases will be addressed during the temporary closure.

KEMSA will be closed for annual stocktake from 1st to 4th July 2025.⁰No dispatch/receipt of supplies during this period (except emergencies).⁰Operations resume Monday 7th July 2025.
📞 +254 111 035 800 l customercare@kemsa.go.ke#KemsaAt25 #HealthcareSupply #PartnerInHealthcare pic.twitter.com/Lib1R2SaHf

— KEMSA (@Kemsa_Kenya) June 17, 2025

“During this period, receipt and dispatch of medication supplies will be suspended. Only emergency cases will be attended to,” the post read.

The authority urged clients to make prior arrangements to avoid supply disruptions, noting that the stock audit is standard procedure meant to verify inventory accuracy and enhance transparency.

Financial constraints

KEMSA’s announcement comes amid ongoing concerns over critical drug shortages in public hospitals.

On April 1, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale disclosed that the agency’s inventory had been significantly affected by funding shortfalls.

“The current order fill rate at KEMSA stands at 43 per cent. This is due to the fact that KEMSA is facing stockouts due to a lack of finances to replenish health products and technologies,” Duale said.

KEMSA is responsible for procuring, warehousing, and distributing essential medical commodities to both national referral hospitals and county facilities.

The audit is expected to highlight the extent of stock discrepancies and guide future restocking efforts.