Mwala MP and UDA National Organizing Secretary Vincent Kawaya have ignited a fresh debate in Kenya’s health sector with a proposal to centralize the procurement of drugs through the National Government.
A close ally of President William Ruto, Kawaya wants funds currently sent to county governments for hospital supplies redirected to KEMSA, arguing that Governors have failed in their mandate.
He blames county leaders for widespread drug shortages in public hospitals, accusing them of mismanaging resources from the Social Health Authority and unfairly shifting blame to the Head of State.
“Governors have been receiving funds to ensure hospitals have adequate drugs, but they mismanage these resources and then blame President William Ruto for the failures of their health systems. This will not be tolerated any longer,” Kawaya stated.
The UDA leader indicated that discussions are underway to limit county leaders’ control over SHA funds, citing inefficiency and corruption in the devolved units, which he says has exposed millions of Kenyans who rely on public hospitals to massive suffering.
“They (Governors) receive money from SHA, misuse it on foreign trips, and then blame Ruto. We will not allow this to continue,” Kawaya said.
Kawaya now says he will pursue legal and political measures to ensure the national government takes charge of medicine supply, a move that could ease shortages but risks sparking a new clash between the Ministry of Health and devolved units over control of resources.
The proposal comes in the context of the Health Act 2017, which assigns counties the responsibility of managing health facilities up to level 5, while the national government oversees health policy and standards.
If implemented, the move could trigger tensions between the national government and county administrations over resource control and healthcare management.
The initiative aims to address the long-standing issue of drug shortages in public hospitals and restore public confidence in Kenya’s health system by ensuring that medicines reach hospitals efficiently and transparently.
Speaking during a Boda Boda empowerment initiative in Mutomo, Kitui County, Kawaya stated his intention to pursue this matter legally and politically to redirect funds allocated for drugs and commodities directly to KEMSA, aiming to curb corruption and inefficiency at the county level, a move that could potentially create conflict between the Ministry of Health and county leaders.
