The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has been ordered to ensure consistent and adequate supply of drugs to public health facilities across the country.
President Dr. William Ruto said there should be efficiency in the new system of delivering medicines and other health commodities directly to hospitals.
Speaking at Loglogo Africa Inland Church (AIC) in Marsabit County, President Ruto said the direct delivery of supplies to health facilities—rather than to county stores—would make the provision of health services under the Universal Health Coverage programme more reliable.
The President was in Loglogo to attend celebrations marking 60 years of the local church’s existence, where he directed that health facilities should be equipped with drugs at all times.
“We don’t want to hear stories of lack of drugs in our health facilities. KEMSA should ensure an uninterrupted supply of drugs to our hospitals,” the President said.
He disclosed that the agency had been adequately funded to enable it to carry out its mandate with the expected efficiency.
The President asked Kenyans to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA) to enable them to access free primary healthcare services.
President Ruto encouraged Kenyans to register with SHA, saying those who do so stand to get free outpatient services at dispensaries, health centres, and sub-county hospitals in public, private, and faith-based facilities.
He further called on those eligible for personal registration to take advantage of the government’s abolition of extra ID vetting requirements in border counties to acquire national identity cards.
“The vetting requirement for IDs in border regions, including Marsabit, was discriminatory, and that is why my administration did away with the practice,” the President said.
He added that the ID registration process had been streamlined to ensure equal access to this vital document.
The President said there was a need for the country to establish a National Infrastructure Fund to cater for the growing demand for infrastructure development, such as roads.
He said that Sh1.5 trillion was needed to construct about 10,000 km of new tarmac roads across the country.
To the jubilation of residents, the President announced that Marsabit County has been allocated Sh4.5 billion for Affordable Housing projects, fresh produce markets, and student hostels for public colleges.
The President said Sh1.6 billion has also been set aside to connect more households to electricity, as the government strives to serve all Kenyans equally.
President Ruto commended the role the Church plays in development and mission work, saying the government would continue working with religious organisations to address challenges facing communities.
Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security, Kipchumba Murkomen, said more than 72,000 residents in Marsabit are eligible for ID registration and urged them to take advantage of the government’s free issuance of the documents.
Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali, Members of Parliament, and other local leaders commended the Ruto administration for initiating numerous development projects in the county, which they noted had been marginalised by previous regimes.
Governor Ali said the local leadership would support the reelection bid of President Ruto because of his transformational leadership and the development efforts he has championed in the county and the country at large.
— By Sebastian Miriti
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