Legal Mandate

KEMSA was established as a state corporation under legal notice No. 17 of 2000. The legal notice outlined three key objects of KEMSA to include: i)    Develop and operate a viable commercial service for the procurement and sale of drugs and other medical supplies; ii)    Provide a secure source of drugs and other medical supplies for Public Health institutions; and iii)    Advice the Health Management Boards and the general public on matters related to the procurement, cost effectiveness and rational use of drugs and other medical supplies. KEMSA’ core functions include procurement, warehousing and distribution of medical supplies.   In performing these functions, KEMSA’s mission is “to improve the healthcare of Kenyans through efficient procurement and reliable distribution of quality medical commodities and promotion of rational drug use and practices. KEMSA vision is “to be to be the leading supplier of quality and affordable essential medical commodities to health facilities in Kenya.” Both KEMSA’s mission and vision statements support the Ministry of Medical Services and Ministry of Public Health & Sanitation Mission, Vision and objectives as articulated in the National Health Sector Strategic Plan (NHSSP) II 2005-2010