On May 15, 2023, President William Ruto made far-reaching changes at the Ministry of Health after corruption claims at Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA).
In the changes, the president fired Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Josephine Mburu.
Following the development, President Ruto placed KEMSA under the Department of Medical Services, whose PS is Peter Tum.
The Ministry of Health has two directorates; the Directorate of Public Health and Professional Standards, and the Directorate of Medical Services.
Peter Tum education
Tum holds a Master’s Degree in Energy Management from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Industrial Technology from Egerton University.
He also holds a Post- Graduate Diploma in Medical Electronics from the University of London.
Peter Tum career
Tum joined the government when former President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed him the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health.
In March 2019, he was appointed the PS State Department for Labour in the ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
Tum previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).
Peter Tum age
Tum’s age was not known by the time of publishing this article; however, an update will be made once the same has been realized.
Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA)
KEMSA is a state corporation established under the Kenyan Ministry of Health. Its primary mandate is to procure, warehouse, and distribute medical supplies and equipment to public health facilities in Kenya.
The role of KEMSA is to ensure the availability of quality healthcare products, including pharmaceuticals, laboratory reagents, and medical devices, to support the delivery of healthcare services in the country.
By centralizing the procurement and distribution process, KEMSA aims to streamline the supply chain, reduce costs, and improve efficiency in the healthcare sector.
KEMSA operates through a network of warehouses strategically located across Kenya. These warehouses receive and store medical supplies and equipment procured from various sources, including local and international suppliers.
KEMSA is responsible for ensuring the quality and authenticity of the products it procures, adhering to strict regulatory standards and guidelines.
In addition to procurement and storage, KEMSA also plays a crucial role in distribution. It delivers medical supplies to public health facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, and dispensaries, across the country.
By managing the distribution process, KEMSA helps to ensure that healthcare facilities have access to the necessary medical supplies when needed, thereby supporting the delivery of quality healthcare services to the Kenyan population.
KEMSA’s operations are guided by principles of transparency, accountability, and integrity. It collaborates with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, healthcare providers, and development partners, to fulfill its mandate effectively.
KEMSA also works to foster innovation and leverage technology to improve its operations and provide better healthcare services to the people of Kenya.
It’s important to note that my knowledge cutoff is in September 2021, so there may have been developments or changes regarding KEMSA since then.