Drug supplier Kemsa commends Nakuru for clearing bill in time

Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui inspects a drugs store during a tour of Mang'u Dispensary in Menengai West, Rongai.

NAKURU, KENYA: Nakuru has been ranked as the top county by the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) in terms of clearing debts from drugs supplied in the last financial year.

According to the latest data from the authority, Nakuru County does not owe KEMSA any money despite the current financial crunch facing other counties.

This came, as details emerged that the authority was owed over Sh2.6 billion by counties with Nairobi leading at Sh284 million.

Other counties with high debt include Kitui 198 million, Kilifi 140 million and Homabay at 130 million while those with the lowest debt are Lamu Sh731,000 and Embu at Sh5 million.

According to the latest data, Nakuru had even surpassed its debt by Sh9,000 and had drugs to run until the end of September.

While releasing the data the authority's CEO Dr Jonan Manjari noted that the high debts by the counties were affecting its operations.

“From the current figures, its only Nakuru county that has cleared its debt and we applaud its leadership and hope the other counties will clear their debts too,” he said.

Manjari was, however, quick to add that they were working with the other counties to clear their pending bills though some were not fulfilling commitments made earlier.

“The biggest challenge we are facing is lack of prioritisation of payments to KEMSA by counties and the delayed disbursement of funds by National Treasury,” he said.

Despite the slow pace in payment, the CEO added that the authority had adequate drugs to meet the needs of all the counties.

“KEMSA has entered into two years framework contracts with suppliers to ensure that drug supplies are delivered as and when required,” he said.

According to the CEC for Health in Nakuru Dr Kariuki Gichuki, the county was using Sh100 million every quarter to buy drugs from the KEMSA.

He said that all health facilities in the county were stocked adding that they had embarked on the process of procuring more drugs for the third quarter.

Gichuki added that the county was keen to address the issue of various health centers that were constructed in the last regime but were not stocked or staffed.