The new Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) chairperson Irungu Nyakera has promised to clear the mess at the state agency, which has been riddled with cases of corruption in the last few years.
In a statement, Nyakera said that the exercise won’t be easy, but assured Kenyans to clean the agency.
“Today I wake up to a new role as the Chairperson of Kenya Medical Supplies Authority. The agency has been riddled with graft for the last few years and I thank His Excellency President William Ruto for believing in me to deliver KEMSA from the mess. We will clean the mess, I can assure Kenyans. It certainly won’t be easy, so help me God,” he stated.
On Monday, President William Ruto sacked Health PS Josephine Mburu and the whole of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority board including its chair Daniel Rono.
Ruto appointed Irungu Nyakera as the chairperson of the KEMSA board.
Health CS Susan Nakhumicha has on her part reconstituted the KEMSA board and appointed new members.
The new members include Hezborn Oyieko Omollo, Bernard Kipkirui Better, Jane Masiga and Jane Nyagaturi Mbatia.
KEMSA CEO Terry Ramadhani was also kicked out and in her place Andrew Mutava Mulwa appointed in an acting capacity.
Others suspended by the health CS are Martin Wamwea, Lenson Kariuki, Pauline Duya, Livingstone Njuguna, and Charles Kariuki Chege who were serving under the Ministry of Health National Malaria Programme.
Nakhumicha also kicked out Justus Kinoti, Cosmas Rotich and Anthony Chege were serving in KEMSA.
KEMSA has been involved in several scandals including a Ksh7 billion scandal during the Covid-19 pandemic, which was intended to buy personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essential health facilities.
Currently, KEMSA is in the spotlight over a Ksh3.7 billion mosquito net deal.
