Susan Nakhumicha inherits a ailing Health ministry

Susan Nakhumicha Wafula. [File, Standard]

Susan Nakhumicha Wafula, who was nominated to lead the Health docket, will bring on board more than 15 years experience in supply and operations in the Health industry.

Ms Nakhumicha ran for the Trans Nzoia Women Representative seat in the August General Elections on a Ford Kenya party, but lost to Lilian Siyoi of the United Democratic Alliance Party. She had unsuccessfully contested for the same post in 2013 and 2017 but lost to Janet Nangabo.

Nakhumicha will be taking over from Mutahi Kagwe who steered the Health ministry during the Covid-19. Despite some successes in the crucial docket, corruption scandals threatened to undo all the good work.

She holds a diploma in pharmacy from Kenya Medical Training Institute and another diploma in healthcare management from Kenya Institute of Management.

She also has a Procurement and Management degree from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and a Masters in Procurement and Logistics and Supply Chain Management from the same university.

After the programme, she interned at the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency. Nakhumicha also holds a PhD in Business Management, Logistics and Supply Chain from Jkuat.

Nakhumicha has extensive experience having worked for various donor organization and global programmes.

She is an expert in pharmaceuticals including medicines against HIV/Aids, TB and malaria, HIV/Aids, TB and malaria supply management including development of Procurement and Supply Management plans.

Prior to her appointment to President Ruto's government, she served as Head of Supply for University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Global Program for Research and Training. The UCSF partners with health stakeholders in solving the challenges of infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/Aids and tuberculosis.

She previously worked in procurement and logistics at the Nairobi Women's Hospital. Between 2007 and 2013, she was the purchasing manager of the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies.

Nakhumicha had also served as the Warehouse Operations Officer at the same organisation between 2007 and 2009.

Between September 2006 and August 2007, she served at AAR Healthcare Limited as the Pharmacy in-charge, Kisumu branch.

Her duties at the Health ministry include ongoing NHIF reforms, implementation of Universal Health Coverage in 47 counties, Managed Equipment Services, and reforms at Kemsa, among other issues dogging the sector.

As she waits to face Parliament for approval, a number of donors who have been funding various progammes in the sector have pulled out, leaving a huge funding gap.