President William Ruto has assured Kenyans that the government is taking decisive action to end the chronic shortage of essential medicines in public hospitals nationwide.

Speaking at State House on May 9, 2025, while flagging off a fleet of disease surveillance vehicles to counties, the President said the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa) has been tasked with a central role in revamping the national medical supply system.

Ruto disclosed that the government has allocated Sh10 billion to Kemsa to raise its refill rate from the current 50 per cent to full capacity, effectively ensuring timely and complete delivery of medical commodities to counties.

“They now have no absolute excuse not to supply every commodity required by the counties,” Ruto declared, signaling a new era of accountability in the medical supply chain.

He emphasized that while the national government is playing its part, county governments must also uphold their financial obligations. “Counties must agree that as we settle their SHA claims, they also commit to paying for the medicines supplied,” he said.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, governors, and other key stakeholders from both levels of government attended the event, underscoring the importance of intergovernmental cooperation in health reforms.

The President reaffirmed his determination to address the long-standing "hakuna dawa" (no medicine) issue, which has plagued Kenya’s public healthcare for years. “That is the one thing still holding us back,” he noted.

He highlighted the collaborative framework between Kemsa, the Social Health Authority (SHA), and counties as crucial in ensuring consistent availability of essential drugs across all public health facilities.

Ruto also provided reassurance to NHIF staff, whose fate has been uncertain during the transition to the SHA. He confirmed that former NHIF employees have been prioritized for roles within the new authority, and those not absorbed will be redeployed elsewhere within the public sector. “No one will lose their job,” he affirmed.

Looking ahead, the President announced that the government is rolling out digital health systems to eliminate paperwork and enhance transparency in healthcare delivery. A pilot program has already been launched in six counties, with nationwide rollout expected within six months.