Labour Cabinet Secretary, Simon Chelugui, on Saturday, October 6, differed with the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) board over its decision to have the National Youth Service(NYS) take over operations at the troubled institution.
During an interview with a local TV station, the CS stated that there was need for the board to reconsider its decision stating that the KEMSA should provide justifiable reasons behind the decision to send over 900 staff on a 30-day leave.
Chelugui went ahead to reiterate that the state agency should follow due process before a decision is made on the fate of the employees.
"As labour we see any move or any action taken against an employee must follow due process. I want to believe that the board will review and they will be able to justify how this staff will either be suspended, terminated with reasons," Chelugui stated.
On November 4, Kemsa board chairperson Mary Mwadime, announced that they were sending the non-core staff on leave as part of the restructuring that was being undertaken at the state agency.
This was after the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC) made the recommendations following allegations of misappropriation of public funds that have rocked the medical supply agency.
"This commitment includes aligning the organisational structure to industry-accepted standards for a health commodities and technologies procurement organisation," she stated.
Chelugui's sentiments echo statements that have been made by some Members of Parliament who have faulted Kemsa’s decision to have the NYS temporarily take over operations.
For instance, Kandara MP, Alice Wahome has threatened to go to court challenging what she termed as militarisation of state institutions.
"The way you (Uhuru) are giving the military powers that they should not hold shows how we may have trouble ahead of us," Wahome stated.
On her side, NYS Director-General Matilda Sakwa defended the decision of the Kemsa board further stating they have been engaged in operations with other state corporations before.
"The issue of us supporting Kemsa does not mean taking over. I do not know where that notion is coming from. Kemsa still remains Kemsa and NYS is there to support with some of the talents that they wanted," she explained.
