The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has appointed Terry Kiunge Ramadhani as the Chief Executive Officer who has been serving in an acting capacity effective immediately.
Kiunge stated that she will retain a consultative management approach and promote partnerships with all stakeholders after taking office and completing a familiarisation tour of the KEMSA Commercial Street premises.
She lauded KEMSA employees and operating stakeholders for their dedication to transforming the Authority into an efficient Health Products and Technologies (HPTs) supply chain agency.
“I have taken over as the CEO of KEMSA, and I am conscious of the immense duty and responsibility ahead. I pay tribute to the team running the show for their passion and dedication to duty. They have set a solid foundation for KEMSA transformation. I intend to accelerate the pace of reforms through a consultative, results-focused management approach with all our stakeholders from staff, suppliers, donor partners and clients,” she said.
She will be taking over from John Kabuchi, who was also the chairman of the Covid-19 vaccines procurement and logistics committee.
However, the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) had revoked the appointment of Kiunge citing lack of qualifications and what they termed as vested interests.
PSK vowed to take legal action against KEMSA if it does not reverse its decision to nominate Kiunge to the position, claiming that her appointment violates the KEMSA Act.
“If this appointment of an unqualified and unsuitable person to be the substantive CEO of KEMSA is not rescinded within the next 48 hours. We are ready to stand with the law, towards seeking further legal sanctions against the Board, if the said Board does not reverse this illegality,” said Louis Machogu, President PSK.
Machogu stated that the CEO of KEMSA should be appointed “purely on merit and not relationships” in order for the Big Four agenda on Universal Health Coverage to succeed.
“Section 8(2)(a) of the KEMSA Act amended through the Health Laws Amendment Act 2019 clearly states the minimum qualifications of the CEO of KEMSA vis; Holds a minimum of the first degree in pharmacy, medicine, business management, finance, supply chain management, or any other related field from a recognized university. Terry Kiunge does not meet this requirement,” he stated.
He also accused KEMSA of undermining and disregarding the constitution’s fundamentals as well as a slew of public appointment statutes.
Machogu argued that because KEMSA’s primary duty is the acquisition, warehousing, and distribution of health items and technologies, the CEO position should be filled by a qualified individual.
Kiunge, a former member of the KEMSA Board, was the chair of the Board’s human resource committee, which developed the job description and job specifications for the KEMSA CEO position, according to the PSK President, only to resign as a board member before applying for the position, which he claimed she had tailor-made for herself.
He went on to say that the appointed CEO was a member of the same KEMSA board that made the appointment.