Lilian Nyiva
The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has announced the temporary closure of its Nairobi and Regional Distribution Centres to facilitate its annual stock-taking exercise, a move that will temporarily suspend the receipt and dispatch of medical supplies across its network.
KEMSA said the annual stock-taking exercise is necessary to verify inventory levels, reconcile physical stock with electronic records, and ensure accountability in the management of medical commodities. The authority urged customers and stakeholders to make the necessary arrangements in advance to avoid disruptions in the supply of essential medical products.
According to a public notice issued by KEMSA, the closure will take effect from July 1 and remain in place until July 4, with normal operations expected to resume on July 7 after the weekend. During the period, only emergency cases will be attended to.
Impact on Public Health Facilities
The temporary suspension is expected to affect deliveries to public hospitals, health centres, and clinics that rely on KEMSA for medicines, medical equipment, and other health commodities. However, the authority has assured health facilities that emergency requests will continue to be handled throughout the closure period.
As Kenya's primary public health logistics agency, KEMSA is responsible for procuring, warehousing, and distributing health products and technologies to national referral hospitals, public health programmes, and strategic national reserves.
Part of Ongoing Reforms
The announcement comes as the authority continues implementing reforms aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the health supply chain. Earlier, KEMSA introduced digital systems, including a Logistics Management Information System (LMIS), to provide real-time visibility of health commodities and improve inventory management.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has also announced measures to strengthen KEMSA's operations, including a Sh10 billion revolving credit facility intended to ensure a steady supply of medicines and medical products to public health facilities. The reforms are aimed at improving order fulfilment rates and reducing recurring shortages of essential drugs in government hospitals.
Ensuring Accuracy and Accountability
Annual stock-taking is a standard inventory management practice used to confirm stock levels, identify discrepancies, and improve forecasting and procurement decisions. KEMSA says the exercise will help maintain accurate records and support the efficient distribution of medical supplies across the country.
The authority has advised all stakeholders, including county governments and healthcare facilities, to plan ahead during the temporary shutdown to minimise disruptions and ensure continuity of healthcare services.
