MP seeks to bar counties from medicine purchases

 Mwala MP Vincent Kawaya now wants county governments stripped of powers to procure medicine and pharmaceutical gear for public health institutions.

Kawaya, a key ally of President William Ruto in Ukambani region has suggested that the National Government should take over the mandate from county governments, claiming the devolved units have failed to ensure stability of medical supplies, leading to collapse of healthcare service delivery in the country.

The UDA national organizing secretary attributes the drug shortages in many public hospitals to procurement failures by Governors, despite receiving funds through the Social Authority (SHA), and alleges that they are shifting blame to the head of state.

During a Boda Boda empowerment initiative in Mutomo, Kitui County Friday, Kawaya stated his intention to pursue the matter legally and politically to redirect funds allocated for drugs and commodities directly to the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA), aiming to curb corruption and inefficiency at the county level, a move that could potentially create conflict between the Ministry of Health and county leaders.

"Governors have been receiving funds to ensure hospitals have adequate drugs, but they mismanage these resources and then blame President William Ruto for the failures of their health systems. This will not be tolerated any longer," Kawaya stated.

The UDA leader indicated that discussions are underway to limit county leaders' control over SHA funds, citing inefficiency and corruption in the devolved units, which he says has exposed millions of Kenyans who rely on public hospitals to massive suffering.

"They (Governors) receive money from SHA, misuse it on foreign trips, and then blame Ruto. We will not allow this to continue," Kawaya said.

The proposal comes in the context of the Health Act 2017, which assigns counties the responsibility of managing health facilities up to level 5, while the national government oversees health policy and standards.

If implemented, the move could trigger tensions between the national government and county administrations over resource control and healthcare management.

The initiative aims to address the long-standing issue of drug shortages in public hospitals and restore public confidence in Kenya’s health system by ensuring that medicines reach hospitals efficiently and transparently.