NAIROBI, Kenya, May 18 — Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has instructed all Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) employees who have been working remotely to resume their duties at the office at 8am on Friday.
During the inauguration of the new KEMSA Board, Nakhumicha expressed concern over the payment of over 200 individuals who were allegedly working from home even after the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.
She emphasized the importance of responsibility and accountability.
“I hereby direct the CEO, effective tomorrow morning, all 200 staff working from home for KEMSA, should report to work tomorrow at 8 am,” she directed.
“It does not make sense, it is irresponsible to have paid over 200 people for two years, them sitting at home in the name of COVID, yet we all go to our office nowadays,” the Health CS decreed.
Anti-graft efforts
Nakhumicha has made an impassioned commitment to fighting corruption within her ministry, promising that no government officials implicated in graft scandals will be immune to scrutiny.
The Health CS assured that the new board members were carefully selected and expressed confidence in their ability to restore integrity to the institution, ensuring timely access to healthcare commodities for Kenyans.
This decision follows the recent dismissal of the former board by President William Ruto, citing mismanagement of the mosquito nets tender.
Health PS Josephine Mburu and the entire previous board led by former Keiyo South MP Daniel Rono were relieved of their positions.
President William Ruto appointed Irungu Nyakera as the new chairperson. Other board members include Hezborn Oyieko Omollo, Bernard Kipkirui, Jane Masiga, and Jane Mbatia.
The suspension came after the Global Fund canceled KEMSA’s procurement process, which appeared to favour a bidder who did not meet the mandatory requirements.
The tender worth Sh3.7 billion shillings was for the supply of treated mosquito nets made of both polyethylene and polyester.
The Global Fund records show that the tender evaluation excluded the only company, China’s Tianjin Yorkool, that met all the required conditions under both Kenyan and Global Fund procurement laws and guidelines.
