Why KEMSA should be devolved

The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) Act 2013, lays the framework for procurement and supply of medical products or materials throughout the country. The implication is that the 47 county governments in Kenya depend on KEMSA for such supplies.

However, there have been complaints relating to sub-standard equipment supplied to hospitals, corrupt procurement dealings and delayed supplies to medical institutions across the country. This is the current state of affairs in the health sector despite the fact that the practice is not in harmony with the objects and principles of devolved government as enunciated in the Constitution of Kenya.