President William Ruto has issued a direct challenge to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), urging the agency to achieve a 100 percent order fill rate as part of broader reforms aimed at improving the country’s public healthcare system.
Speaking during a recent engagement with health sector stakeholders, the president emphasized the critical role KEMSA plays in ensuring the availability of essential medicines and medical supplies across the country.
The order fill rate is a key performance indicator used to measure the proportion of customer orders fulfilled accurately and on time. President Ruto underscored that KEMSA’s ability to meet this target would significantly reduce medicine stock-outs in public health facilities and improve service delivery for millions of Kenyans who rely on government-supported health institutions.
He further noted that achieving full order fulfillment should not be seen as an aspirational goal, but rather as a non-negotiable benchmark for efficiency and accountability in public health logistics.
The president said that his administration is committed to investing in modern supply chain systems, digitization, and staff training to support KEMSA’s transformation journey.
KEMSA has in recent years been the subject of scrutiny due to inefficiencies, delays in procurement, and allegations of mismanagement.
However, a new leadership team has been tasked with implementing structural reforms, improving transparency, and restoring confidence in the agency’s operations.
President Ruto challenged the agency not only to meet the 100 percent fill rate target but to do so sustainably and ethically, with a strong emphasis on value for money, quality assurance, and timely delivery to even the most remote health facilities.
Health professionals and development partners welcomed the president’s directive, noting that reliable supply chains are the backbone of any functional health system.
A fully efficient KEMSA, they argued, would enhance the government’s Universal Health Coverage agenda and ensure that no Kenyan is denied treatment due to lack of essential supplies.
KEMSA has pledged to align its operations with the president’s expectations, citing ongoing reforms in procurement, inventory management, and regional distribution networks.
The coming months will be critical as the agency seeks to meet the ambitious target and reposition itself as a trusted pillar in Kenya’s healthcare ecosystem.
Written By Ian Maleve
