Committee Probes KEMSA Over Suspicious Procurement Of Medical Supplies

The Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture (PIC-SSAA), chaired by Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, has raised serious concerns about irregularities in the procurement and delivery of medical supplies by Angelica Medical Supplies Limited to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).

The concerns came to light during a session in Parliament reviewing the Auditor-General’s report on KEMSA’s audited accounts for the financial years 2019/2020 to 2023/2024.

The committee members pointed out inconsistencies in delivery notes, contract signing dates, and acceptance letters.

“There’s a clear mismatch in the sequence of events,” said Committee Chair Wangwe.

“You cannot have goods delivered in April 2020, acceptance letters issued in May, and then a contract signed in June. It raises serious accountability questions.”

According to documents presented before the committee, some personal protective equipment (PPE) was delivered in April 2020, but the contracts authorizing the purchase were only signed two months later, in June.

The acceptance letters were dated May 2020, creating confusion over how the transactions were approved and executed.

Othaya MP Michael Wainaina said the delays and lack of proper documentation raised doubts about whether procedures were followed.

“The government cannot issue any contract without documentation. If someone seeks payment later without a signed agreement, who is responsible for that?” he asked.

The committee was also concerned that some items marked as emergency supplies were delivered two to three weeks late.

Responding to questions from MPs, KEMSA officials blamed the delays on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including lockdowns and disruptions in movement.

The committee has now directed that all documents related to the procurement be submitted in full to enable a thorough review and to determine whether the transactions were done legally and transparently.