A professional body on procurement matters wants a specialist in the field to be appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
The Kenya Institute of Supplies (KISM), which is a national body for professionals in the practice of procurement and supply chain management in Kenya, argues its imperative to have one of its members picked to head the key agency.
In a letter to KEMSA board chairman Irungu Nyakera, KISM said as a proactive measure of complying with a circular by the chief of staff Circular Ref. No. SH/GM/3 III (10) dated August 23 2023 on professionalisation of the supply chain, the agency should consider a registered procurement officer.
“The institute noted that the advertisement for the above subject and appreciation that Supply Chain Management is one of the disciplines listed as part of the qualifications for the position,” KISM CEO Kenneth Matiba said.
The letter was dated June 10, 2024, and copied to the Chief of Staff and head of the civil service Felix Koskei and Health CS Susan Nakhumicha.
“This is therefore to further advise the Authority that Supply Chain Professionals, if any, who may have applied for this role must be duly registered and licenced by the Institute and are in good standing, in service to your Supply Chain centric Agency.”
This comes as the Irungu Nyakera team seeks to conclude the recruitment process for the agency.
The application for the four-year tenure job closed on June 11, 2024.
Acting CEO Dr Andrew Mulwa is one of those who have been shortlisted for interviews.
KEMSA is a state-owned corporation under the Ministry of Health that is mandated to procure, store, and distribute medical supplies and commodities to public health facilities.
Its mandate includes public health programs, drugs and medical supplies for prescribed public health programs, national strategic stock reserve, medical supplies for the national strategic stock reserve, essential health packages, prescribed essential health packages, national referral hospitals and medical supplies for national referral hospitals.
Key requirements for the candidates were competence in strategy and corporate planning, financial management, asset and fund management, commercial awareness, health and product knowledge, supply chain management and demand forecasting and planning.
They were also required to have competence in the warehousing and distribution of medical supplies, strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement, program management, diplomacy, strategic communication and ICT competency skills.