This archive report was first published on 24 August 2019.
According to the 2017/2018 Auditor General's report, the Kenya Ministry of Health owes the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) a staggering Sh1.5 billion.
Published on August 24, 2019, the report highlights that Sh1.09 billion of this amount has been outstanding for more than two years.
Despite the significant debt, an officer from the budget committee revealed to the Nation that the figure was never budgeted for in the last financial year.
The debt is attributed to services rendered by Kemsa, including procurement of products, distribution, and warehousing for products from donors, including family planning commodities, condoms, and nutrition products.
"The services cannot stop, as the counties pick the commodities, more are brought on board, and the cycle continues," says the officer.
Furthermore, the counties owe Kemsa Sh2.2 billion dating back to 2013, with Nairobi County having the highest debt at Sh84.2 million, followed by Kilifi, Kitui, and Narok owing the authority Sh138 million, Sh104 million, and Sh96 million, respectively.
When questioned about the ministry's debt, Kemsa CEO Dr. Jonah Mwangi was reluctant to reveal the amount owed by the Health ministry, stating that the ministry pays as services are rendered.
However, Dr. Mwangi was not willing to discuss the matter further, citing ongoing talks with the Health ministry to settle the debt.
