Counties owe Kemsa Sh2.8 billion for medical supplies, CEO says
Kenya Medical Supplies Authority acting CEO Fredrick Wanyonyi (left) and Senate Health Committee chairman Michael Mbito address members of the press in Mombasa on March 23, 2018. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Kemsa boss says crisis jeopardises President Uhuru Kenyatta's agenda of universal health coverage.
- Mr Wanyonyi says some counties are notorious for delaying payments, citing Baringo which owes Kemsa Sh21 million.
- Senators asked Mr Wanyonyi to address the issue of substandard drugs.
Counties owe the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency Sh2.8 billion the agency’s acting chief executive Fred Wanyonyi said.
Mr Wanyonyi urged the national government to intervene and solve the crisis saying the authority is in a dilemma.
"We might be unable to support counties due to the huge debts. The Senate should intervene. We have tried to persuade governors to pay the debts which might affect our business model. Universal health care coverage might be affected," Mr Wanyonyi said.
UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE
He said the debts have been accrued from the last financial year, adding that the monies owed by counties might jeopardise President Uhuru Kenyatta's agenda on universal healthcare coverage.
Speaking during the senate committee on Health meeting in Mombasa, Mr Wanyonyi said some counties were notorious with delays in payments.
He cited Baringo which owes Kemsa Sh21 million.
"We are revising our sell agreement with counties to provide timelines in payments. We have engaged Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki who has engaged Treasury. Four counties owe us a lot of money," he insisted.
Senators asked Mr Wanyonyi to address the issue of substandard drugs in the market and rumours that the authority stores expired drugs.
Mr Wanyonyi was asked to check on quality of drugs in the market.
