Kwale County has been recognised as the Best-Performing County in the Coast and North-Eastern regions by the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), thanks to its outstanding performance in managing Health Products and Technologies (HPT).
The award honours counties that demonstrate reliability in medical procurement, consistent health supply ordering, and timely payments to KEMSA.Governor Fatuma Achani announced the achievement through her official social media handles, expressing pride in the county's health progress.
“This prestigious award celebrates Kwale’s outstanding commitment to allocating a dedicated budget for health commodities, making timely payments to KEMSA, and ensuring consistent, needs-based ordering of essential health supplies,” she said.
Governor Achani added that the recognition is a reflection of Kwale’s long-standing investment in the health sector, which has included the construction and equipping of 178 health facilities and the recruitment of over 1,800 healthcare professionals across the county.
“The County has given the health sector a high priority in the budget allocation, regardless of the resource challenges, for efficient health service delivery to our people,” she affirmed.The Governor also reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in accessing quality healthcare.
A model for other counties
Kwale’s performance comes at a time when many counties across the country are grappling with challenges in drug procurement and health systems financing.
According to a 2023 Amref Health Africa report, over 70% of public health facilities in Kenya experience regular stock-outs of essential medicines due to poor planning and inefficient supply chains.
Experts argue that proper health commodity management is not just about supplies — it is central to the delivery of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). A World Health Organization (WHO) framework cites supply chain systems as one of the six critical pillars for a strong healthcare system.
Kwale’s recognition signals a successful example of localised health sector reforms. It serves as an important benchmark for other devolved units aiming to improve public health through accountability, consistency, and strategic planning.
