The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has announced a temporary closure of its distribution centres across the country, effective July 1 to July 4, 2025. This four-day suspension will facilitate the Authority’s routine annual stock-taking exercise aimed at promoting accountability and transparency in the management of medical supplies.
In a public notice issued on Tuesday, KEMSA emphasized that normal operations, including the receipt and dispatch of medical commodities, will resume on Monday, July 7. This is because July 5 and 6 fall on a weekend. During the closure, only emergency supply requests will be addressed.
Customers and stakeholders have been urged to plan ahead and make the necessary arrangements to avoid disruptions in healthcare service delivery. The Authority has provided contact information for assistance during this period, including phone numbers (+254 111 035 800 / +254 719 033 000) and email (customercare@kemsa.go.ke). The head office remains accessible along Airport North Road in Embakasi, Nairobi.
The stock-taking exercise is a critical internal control process that ensures the accuracy of inventory records. It helps KEMSA identify and address any discrepancies, thereby preventing both stockouts and overstocking of essential health products. Such proactive measures enhance the reliability of the health supply chain, particularly in a sector where timely availability of drugs and medical equipment is vital.
As a state corporation under the Ministry of Health, KEMSA’s core mandate involves the procurement, warehousing, and distribution of Health Products and Technologies (HPTs) for public health programs, national strategic stock reserves, and national referral hospitals. The scheduled closure aligns with this mandate, ensuring that systems are not only effective but also accountable.
Earlier this year, KEMSA implemented a new digitized operational framework aimed at improving efficiency and enhancing transparency. The rollout of the Logistics Management Information System (LMIS) is a cornerstone of this digital transformation. Once fully operational, LMIS will offer real-time visibility of commodity stock levels, enabling stakeholders to track inventory across all levels of the supply chain.
KEMSA CEO Waqo Ejersa reiterated that these technological upgrades are part of a broader agenda to establish KEMSA as a model of transparency and effectiveness in healthcare logistics. Board chairperson Samuel Tanui echoed this, highlighting KEMSA’s vital role in supporting healthcare across all 47 counties in Kenya.
As the country awaits the resumption of full services, the temporary closure serves as a strategic move to reinforce the Authority’s commitment to quality healthcare delivery and public sector accountability.
