Governors have appealed to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority KEMSA not to conceal critical medical supplies because of existing debts and to allow the county governments to clear the bills.

Led by Council of Governors Chair, Martin Wambora, the governors have called the ministry of health to consider a further reduction of prices of COVID-19, medical supplies to reflect the current market prices.

"We applaud the recent action by the ministry of health to authorize the reduction of prizes of COVID-19 Medical supplies such as PPE kits, thermometers and hand sanitisers that were procured and held at the KEMSA warehouses since last year. While this has set in motion generation of orders for the supplies by the county governments, we urge MOH to further reduce the prices offered to truly reflect the current market prices," they said.

A few days ago, Nairobi County was reported to be in a health crisis after health centres and dispensaries were running out of essential drugs.

The county bosses have at the same time given a warning to residents against laxity in adhering to COVID-19 restrictions following a reduction in insurgence.

Read More

  1. Equity unveils Joska branch, expanding its footprint to 212 locations nationwide
  2. National Treasury denies owing counties as governors warn of service disruptions
  3. Counties face Christmas cash crunch as governors issue grim warning

The major concern now for counties in the country is the demand for medical oxygen, which is still high in 20 counties having being overstretched especially during the peak of the fourth wave witnessed in August 2021.

At the moment, eight counties have registered a sharp decline in cases and are conducting less than 100 tests weekly.

They include Trans Nzoia, Tharaka Nithi, West Pokot, Lamu, Samburu, Kwale, Wajir and Bomet.

However, testing remains high in five major counties, including Nairobi, Nakuru, Machakos, Busia and Mombasa.

Wambora has also said counties have continued to work with the national government towards the transportation of multiple COVID-19 vaccines.

"We acknowledge that the uptake of vaccines has been distributed across all the counties and some delays witnessed in some counties. In this regard, county government has improved their efforts through increased advocacy campaigns to ensure every citizen gets vaccinated," said Wambora.