The government has announced plans to lay off over 200 employees working on contract basis at the graft laden Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) beginning July 1, 2023, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said yesterday.
Koskei said this is in line with the recommendations of the Kemsa board of directors after the conclusion of a two-week audit ordered by the new board.
Announcing the decision to Kemsa staff yesterday, Koskei said the audit is to rationalise operations at the institution which has been riddled with graft cases.
He added that the government will conduct such audits in public institutions with a view of reducing the ballooning wage bill which continues to gobble up over 60 per cent of the cash allocated to the national government.
“When we say that those who are in contract will not have their contracts renewed, it is because we want to optimise for the sake of having enough money to develop this country, or else every money will be in the pockets of our employees and nothing will move…so that is something that has been identified by the government,” he stated.
The number of those to be sacked from July 1 represent approximately half of the members of staff who are employed on contract at KEMSA; a situation Koskei said will apply to other public institutions who also have a bloated workforce.
“Many institutions, majorly parastatals, have realised they have more staff than they need. Generally, a wage bill should be 40 per cent and below but now if you get wage bill going past 60 per cent, 65 per cent, 70 per cent then what is remaining for development?” Koskei posed.
Koskei added that reforms will be carried out at KEMSA to ensure efficiency and accountability in service delivery.
“We are not going to entertain corruption in government.” He affirmed.
He made the remarks at Kemsa ultra-modern warehouse in Embakasi, Nairobi, where he met the authority’s management and employees.
Present were Principal Secretary State Department of Medical Services, Harry Kimtai, Kemsa board chairman Irungu Nyakera and acting Chief Executive Officer Andrew Mulwa.
He asked the management of KEMSA and its employees to support President William Ruto’s war against corruption.
Koskei said conflict of interest, wastage of public resources and abuse of power will not be tolerated in the public service.
The Head of Public Service said KEMSA is a vital institution the Government relies on to deliver Universal Health Coverage.
“Corruption in this sector can make the difference between life and death.” The Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service noted.
He asked KEMSA employees to speak out if they witness or are coerced to engage in corruption.
Koskei also asked members of the public to be vigilant and report cases of corruption to the relevant authorities.
“Those who support the President in fighting corruption will be protected.” Koskei said.
Kimtai said reforms initiated by the new team at KEMSA will transform the institution and enhance efficiency.
Mulwa said KEMSA is committed to delivering its mandate to ensure the Government’s health agenda succeeds.
Nyakera said KEMSA has put in place systems to track all the operations to enhance transparency and accountability.
“We must rebuild our public image, not through the media but through our actions.” Nyakera added.