By Fridah Mbuvi, June 18, 2026
The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has recorded a major improvement in the availability of medicines and medical commodities, with its Order Fill Rate (OFR) surpassing 90 percent in several counties following an extensive operational reform programme aimed at eliminating stock-outs in public health facilities.
KEMSA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Waqo Ejersa said the agency has undertaken significant changes to strengthen the country’s medical supply chain, resulting in improved efficiency and faster delivery of essential commodities to health facilities.
According to Dr. Ejersa, the reforms have enabled KEMSA to raise its Order Fill Rate from historical lows of below 40 percent to current levels exceeding 90 percent in some partner counties.
He attributed the turnaround to the introduction of a dedicated 24-hour shift system, which accelerated order processing and pushed the agency’s baseline performance from 39 percent to 51 percent before recording further gains.
Under commitments contained in KEMSA’s performance contract with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, delivery timelines have been reduced to seven days for major hospitals and ten days for primary healthcare facilities.
The reforms have also been supported by increased financial backing from Parliament, which allocated Sh20.9 billion to the agency in the upcoming financial year. The funding, representing a significant increase from previous allocations, is intended to cushion the health sector from the effects of declining donor support and enhance commodity availability under the Taifa Care programme.
KEMSA has further strengthened decentralization efforts through the operationalization of regional warehouses and automated last-mile delivery systems. The reforms have enabled some counties, including Kajiado, to maintain high levels of medicine availability.
The agency aims to achieve a nationwide Order Fill Rate of 100 percent through improved inventory management and more efficient stock replenishment mechanisms.
The improved supply chain performance is expected to play a critical role in the implementation of the government’s Taifa Care universal health coverage programme by ensuring consistent availability of medicines in public health facilities.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is pursuing stricter regulations under the KEMSA Act to recover the Sh7.6 billion owed to the agency by county governments and safeguard the sustainability of the supply chain.
Health officials say the reforms mark a significant milestone in efforts to restore confidence in public healthcare and ensure uninterrupted access to essential medicines across the country.
