The Kenya Medical Supply Authority (KEMSA), has been ordered to ensure that there is consistency and enough supply of drugs in public health facilities across the country.
President Dr William Ruto, said there should be efficiency in the new system of delivering medicines and other health commodities directly to hospitals.
Speaking at Loglogo Africa Inland Church (AIC) in Marsabit County, President Ruto said direct delivery of the supplies to the health facilities and not to County stores, would make provision of health services under the Universal Health Coverage programme reliable.
The President was in Loglogo to attend celebrations to mark 60 years of the local church’s existence, where he directed that health facilities should be equipped with drugs at all time.
“We don’t want to hear stories of lack of drugs in our health facilities. KEMSA should ensure uninterrupted supply of drugs to our hospitals, ” the President said.
He disclosed that the Agency had been adequately funded; to enable it carry out its mandate with the expected efficiency.
The President asked Kenyans to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA), to enable them to access free primary healthcare services.
President Ruto encouraged Kenyans to register with SHA, saying those who register, stand to get free outpatient services at dispensaries, health centres and Sub-county hospitals in public, private and faith-based hospitals.
He further called on those eligible for personal registration, to take advantage of the government’s abolition of extra ID vetting requirements, in border counties, to acquire national identity cards.
“The vetting for ID requirement for communities in the border regions, including Marsabit was discriminatory and that is why my Administration, did away with the practice,” the President pointed out.
He added that the process of registering for IDs had been streamlined, to enable Kenyans to have equal access to the vital documents.
The President said there was need for the country to have a National Infrastructure Fund, to cater for the ever-growing demand for infrastructure development such as, roads.
He said that Sh1.5 trillion was needed to construct about 10,000 km of new tarmac roads across the country.
The President, to the jubilation of the residents, announced that Marsabit County has been allocated Sh4.5 billion for the Affordable Housing, fresh produce markets and student hostels for public college projects.
The President said Sh1.6 billion has been set aside to connect more local households to electricity, as the government strived to serve all Kenyans equally.
President Ruto commended the role the Church plays in development and mission work, saying the government will continue to work with religious organisations, to address the challenges facing the people.
Cabinet Secretary (CS), Internal Security, Kipchumba Murkomen, said more than 72,000 residents in Marsabit were eligible for ID registration, and urged them to take advantage of the government’s free issuance of the documents.
Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali, Members of Parliament and other area leaders commended the Ruto Administration for initiating many development projects in the County, which they noted had been marginalised by previous regimes.
Governor Ali said the local leadership will be supporting the reelection bid of President Ruto, because of his transformational leadership and development efforts of the county and the country at large.
by Sebastian Miriti
