The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) is staring at a dead stock of COVID-19 items worth Sh6.2 billion. They are now pleading with the Health CS Mutahi Kagwe for a directive before they sell the stock at a throw away price.
The sale that seems to be KEMSA’s only option will see the taxpayers lose more than Sh.2.3 billion.
Cartons with several thousands of personal protective equipment (PPEs) meant for healthcare workers and hospitals are staying idle despite being procured at exaggerated prices.
KEMSA bought a full set of PPEs at Ksh.9000 thinking they would sell it at 9,450 when a similar item is retailing at Sh.3,000 in the current market.
“KEMSA may have good quality but these items are readily available out there cheaper… They over procured based on projections that the pandemic would would be its peak in October,” said Sabina Chege,
Hon. Chege is the Chair Health Committee of the National Assembly that toured KEMSA warehouses in Embakasi yesterday.
She established that KEMSA procured items worth Ksh.7.1 billion and have only sold items worth a billion shillings. This is now a dead stock worth Sh.6.2 billion with no one willing to buy at their asking price
“Will the government be willing to buy from Kemsa and distribute to the counties because there is still a need… But at what price? Or are they going to be allowed to sell cheaper and incur losses,” she Chege.
Senior managers at the agency are under investigations over stolen billions.
Right it’s finding it difficult to deal with counties that feel it should stripped the monopoly to supply drugs and non pharmaceuticals.
