City Hall Ranks Top in KEMSA Drug Debt

By Virginia Nyambura

City hall continues to top the list of debtors owing 2.3 billion shillings to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA)

“Nairobi has not cleared 235 million shillings owed to KEMSA, County debts are dynamic as they accumulate based on demand-driven procurement but debts of Nairobi are older than one year,” said Jonah Manjari, KEMSA Chief Executive.

Nairobi County is followed by Narok County that owes KEMSA 104 million shillings.

Nairobi Health executive, Hitan Majevdia, however, said that they had paid 51 million shillings before the end of the last financial year and were working on clearing the outstanding debt.

Dr.Hitan said he hoped KEMSA would continue providing the drugs needed in the hospitals as some of the balance was provided for in the next financial year.

Council of Governors’ health committee chairman Mohammed Kuti said the debt was caused by delays in the Treasury disbursing funds to the counties. He, however, urged the counties to clear the debt to KEMSA as they have cheaper drugs and counties are assured of the best quality even when on generic drugs.

KEMSA data also showed that Mandera, Kitui, Makueni, Nyandarua, Laikipia, and Embu ranked as the best paying counties.