Senator Nyutu seeks explanation on Ksh1B expired drugs at KEMSA
By Emmanuel Rono, June 12, 2026Muranga Senator Joe Nyutu has raised concerns over the expiry of medical supplies worth approximately Ksh1 billion at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, seeking a detailed explanation from the Senate.
According to a statement by the Parliament of Kenya on Friday, June 12, 2026, Nyutu described the matter as a national concern, warning that the expired stock included essential medicines used in the treatment of cancer, HIV/AIDS, malaria and other critical conditions.
The senator expressed alarm that while critical medicines remained unused and eventually expired, some public health facilities may have been experiencing shortages of the same supplies.
“While seeking a statement from the Committee, the Senator termed the matter a national concern, noting that the expired stock included essential medicine and medical supplies used in the treatment of cancer, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other critical illnesses,” part of the statement read.
Procurement planning
He said this raises serious questions about procurement planning, inventory control, distribution systems, and accountability within KEMSA and the Ministry of Health.
“Sen. Nyutu expressed concern that the expiry of the commodities raises serious questions regarding procurement planning, inventory management, stock monitoring, distribution systems, and accountability within KEMSA and the Ministry of Health.”
Nyutu has requested the committee to provide full details on the value, type, quantities, and expiry dates of the affected drugs, as well as the storage locations where the supplies were held before expiring.
He further wants clarification on the factors that led to the accumulation of expired stock, including possible failures in demand forecasting, stock rotation, distribution planning, and inter-agency coordination.
Shortages in hospitals
In addition, Sen. Nyutu asked the committee to establish whether public health facilities experienced shortages of the same medicines and supplies while the expired stock remained undistributed or unused, and what action was taken by KEMSA and the Ministry of Health upon receiving such reports.
He also called for disclosure of the officers, offices, or institutions responsible for the procurement, storage, management, and distribution of the affected medicines and supplies, including any administrative, disciplinary, or legal action taken and measures to recover losses arising from negligence, mismanagement, or misconduct.
The committee is further required to outline long-term reforms being implemented by KEMSA and the Ministry of Health to strengthen inventory management, enhance timely distribution of medical commodities, improve accountability, and prevent recurrence of wastage of essential medicines and medical supplies.