President William Ruto on Monday, May 15, terminated the appointment of Josephine Mburu as the Principal Secretary, State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards over the alleged impropriety within the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
In a statement signed by Felix Koskei, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, the president also revoked the appointment of the chairperson and dissolved the entire board.
Consequently, the head of state appointed Irungu Nyakera as chairperson of the board and reconstituted the entire board with four new appointees namely FCPA Hezbon Oyieko Omollo, Bernard Kipkirui Bett, Dr. Jane Masiga and Jane Nyagaturi Mbatia.
The president also suspended Terry Ramadhani as KEMSA Chief Executive Officer alongside eight other staff members namely Martin Wamwea (MOH) and Lenson Kariuki (MOH).
Others include Pauline Duya (MOH), Livingstone Njuguna (MOH), Dr. Charles Kariuki Chege (MOH), Justus Kinoti (KEMSA), Cosmas Rotich (KEMSA) and Anthony Chege (KEMSA).
At the same time, Ruto appointed Dr. Andrew Mutava Mulwa as KEMSA's Acting CEO.
The president directed the new management to assure the propriety of procurement processes within the Authority.
Ruto assured Kenyans that his government was committed to rebuilding the KEMSA supply chain management system to ensure effectiveness and accountability.
"Therefore, in keeping with the Administration's Health policy of "leaving no one behind", the Administration will spare no effort in rebuilding the KEMSA supply chain management system so as to secure efficiency and accountability in the provision of medical supplies to all health facilities across our nation," the head of state indicated.
Josephine Mburu was fired five months after assuming office.
The news comes as The Global Fund was forced to cancel a Ksh3.7 billion mosquito nets tender owing to KEMSA's irregular procurement process.
This is after the foreign agency established that the three companies, which had been qualified by KEMSA, had improper bids. Further, the companies which were disqualified by KEMSA had met the requisite standards.
The tender process was flagged as the foreign agency faulted the tender committee for siding with some of the bidders.
