President William Ruto has said the national and county governments have reached an agreement to pay Ksh3.5 billion debt owed to Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KeMSA).
Speaking in Wundanyi, Taita-Taveta County, on Monday, December 2, he said the national government will pay Ksh 1.5 million while county governments have committed to pay Ksh 2 billion.
"I have talked with the Council of Governors Chairperson and because we paid them (counties) Ksh 60 billion recently, county governments should help us with Ksh2 billion to pay KEMSA. If they pay that money I will add Ksh 1.5 billion so that drugs will be available in hospitals.
“If we pay health insurance for citizens and hospitals do not have medicines, that money will go to waste. All of us must work together to ensure we have adequate medicine, equipment, and personnel because we want to succeed," he stated.
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Recently, the national government has been clearing arrears owed to key sectors within the government.
For instance, on November 18, 2024, the National Treasury announced that it had cleared arrears owed to county governments.
The Ministry said it has fully disbursed the funds to counties except for the current month, further sharing documents that indicated it disbursed Ksh 30.8 billion in June and Ksh 32.7 billion in July.
The document also showed that the Ministry disbursed Ksh 30.8 billion and Ksh 32.7 billion in August and September respectively.
"A total of Ksh.158,024,092,590.00 has been disbursed so far for the months of June (arrears), July, August, September, and October. So far all payments except for the current month of November have been settled," the Ministry said.
Come November 30, 2024, the Ministry of Health announced the disbursement of Ksh965 million to pay stipends and arrears of medical interns across the country.
Health CS Debora Barasa said the payment ensures that all 3,747 interns receive their dues without delay, noting that the move demonstrated the Ministry's dedication to addressing the welfare of healthcare workers.
"The total amount comprises 528,615,125.60 Kenya Shillings in arrears payments and 110,668,070 Kenya Shillings in regular payments for Nursing and Clinical Officers Interns. A further payment of 326,592,150 Kenya Shillings has been made as arrears payments for Medical Officer Interns, Dental Officers Interns, and Pharmacist Interns.
"By ensuring timely remuneration, the Ministry affirms its commitment to fostering a conducive environment for professional growth, thereby enhancing the quality of care delivered to Kenyans," she said in a statement.
