Civil society organizations representing patients living with chronic illnesses have issued a 90-day ultimatum to government authorities following revelations that medicines worth Sh376.8 million expired while under the custody of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa).
The groups, which advocate for patients battling cancer, HIV, and other non-communicable diseases, described the findings as a devastating indictment of the country's medical supply chain, especially at a time when public health facilities continue to experience frequent shortages of essential medicines.
According to the latest Auditor-General's report, health commodities valued at Sh376.8 million expired in Kemsa warehouses. The expired stock included Ministry of Health commodities worth Sh23.96 million and critical cancer treatment drugs valued at more than Sh9.26 million.
The audit also revealed significant inefficiencies in the supply system. Despite holding large quantities of medicines that eventually went to waste, Kemsa managed to fulfill only 41 percent of orders placed by public health facilities, far below its target performance rate of 90 percent.
Patient advocacy groups have expressed outrage over what they termed a failure of planning and accountability, arguing that the losses directly affected patients who depend on public hospitals for life-saving treatment.
In a joint statement, the organizations noted that medicines are procured to save lives, not to expire in warehouses. They warned that the continued wastage of critical health commodities undermines public confidence in the healthcare system and puts vulnerable patients at greater risk.
The coalition is demanding a comprehensive overhaul of Kemsa's inventory management and supply chain systems. It is also calling for greater accountability in forecasting and procurement processes, arguing that poor planning has resulted in some facilities running out of basic medicines while excess stocks remain unused until expiry.
The activists further raised concerns about transparency in the management of donor-funded commodities. They pointed to audit findings showing that expired Global Fund-supported commodities worth Sh367.4 million were not included in Kemsa's primary financial statements, raising questions about oversight and reporting practices.
The groups have now given relevant authorities 90 days to address the identified weaknesses, improve transparency, and implement reforms aimed at preventing further losses. They insist that those responsible for the wastage must be held accountable and that measures be put in place to ensure medicines reach patients before they expire.