A report by the Auditor General has revealed that medicines and medical supplies worth more than KSh376 million expired while in storage at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
According to the report for the financial year ending June 30, 2025, the expired stock included cancer drugs valued at more than KSh9 million.
The revelations have sparked outrage among organizations representing cancer, HIV and chronic disease patients, who described the situation as unfortunate at a time when many patients continue to face drug shortages in public hospitals.
The report further found that medicines worth more than KSh558 million were received with a limited shelf life remaining, while others were distributed to health facilities only months before their expiry dates.
Civil society organizations have said the findings expose serious weaknesses in the management of medicines and the country’s medical supply chain.
The Auditor General also cited the lack of an effective system for redistributing, recalling or disposing of expired medicines, raising concerns about patient safety and accountability within the healthcare system.
In its response, KEMSA attributed some of the losses to delays in receiving distribution instructions from the Ministry of Health, as well as low demand from certain health facilities.
However, civil society groups have called for a comprehensive investigation and urgent corrective measures to ensure essential medicines reach patients on time and prevent similar losses in the future.
