KEMSA on the spot over face masks worth Ksh1.5 billion
By Moses Ngahu
Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) is on the spot after reports emerged indicating that the agency kept purchasing face masks even as others were rotting away in stores.
Tender documents presented shows the organization had issued an internal tender for personal protective equipment (PPE) including face masks. At the same time, the organization had a dead stock of masks and other PPEs with an estimated cost of Ksh1.5 billion.
The tender which was dated on 2nd March this year was set to be closed on 29th March and was seeking bidders from all over the world to present their bid for 3,000 packets of N95 face masks of ten pieces per unit, 2,000 units of disposable laboratory coats of 50 units each and 6,000 units of powder-free gloves of 50 units each.
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File image of the KEMSA building. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
According to reports, the government through the Ministry of Health had set aside money to purchase PPEs under the Government of Kenya funds.
Kemsa started, “It is intended that part of the proceeds of the funds will be used to cover eligible payments under the contract for the supply of PPEs. Therefore, Kemsa, on behalf of Ministry of Health invites sealed bids.”
Kemsa responded to the claims by defending themselves against the claims and insisted that the tender had already been pulled down. “The tender has already been cancelled and interested bidders have been notified of the termination,” Kemsa spokesperson said.
Kemsa are currently looking for a new Chief Executive Officer and they hope that the suitable candidate who lands the job will bring changes to the agency as well as strengthen corporate governance. The tender was cancelled after health cabinet secretary Mutahi Kagwe lifted the wearing of face masks in public places on March 11th.
Lately, Kemsa have been on the spotlight for bad reasons considering the recent UN-backed Global Funds revealed wrong doings at the medical supplies agency. This is after 908,000 mosquito nets, 1.1 million condoms and tuberculosis drugs worth Ksh10 million were said to disappear from the agency's warehouse
File image of the KEMSA building. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
According to reports, the government through the Ministry of Health had set aside money to purchase PPEs under the Government of Kenya funds.
Kemsa started, “It is intended that part of the proceeds of the funds will be used to cover eligible payments under the contract for the supply of PPEs. Therefore, Kemsa, on behalf of Ministry of Health invites sealed bids.”
Kemsa responded to the claims by defending themselves against the claims and insisted that the tender had already been pulled down. “The tender has already been cancelled and interested bidders have been notified of the termination,” Kemsa spokesperson said.
Kemsa are currently looking for a new Chief Executive Officer and they hope that the suitable candidate who lands the job will bring changes to the agency as well as strengthen corporate governance. The tender was cancelled after health cabinet secretary Mutahi Kagwe lifted the wearing of face masks in public places on March 11th.
Lately, Kemsa have been on the spotlight for bad reasons considering the recent UN-backed Global Funds revealed wrong doings at the medical supplies agency. This is after 908,000 mosquito nets, 1.1 million condoms and tuberculosis drugs worth Ksh10 million were said to disappear from the agency's warehouse What's Your Reaction?
