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"content": "stage for providing access to quality health care in this country. If you look at the history of KEMSA, you will find that it is even older than this country. In 1890, it was in existence under different names. At one time, it was called the Central Medical Supplies. But in the 1990s healthcare reforms brought by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), KEMSA got an identity and became a parastatal. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, quality healthcare is of paramount importance. The provision of good healthcare to the nation and every citizen is in the Constitution. The KEMSA cannot operate under a subsidiary legislation or legal notice. If that happens, then it will be at the whims of the Government or the Cabinet Secretary for Health. For us, as a country, this Bill provides the infrastructure for access to quality healthcare for all our people, where quality drugs will be provided to each and every dispensary, health centre, county hospital and referral hospital. It is this Bill that sets the stage for proper administration, financing, governance and enforcement of quality drugs system in this country. We are aware that 16 per cent of the drugs in this country are either generic or counterfeit. It is only a well organized and independent KEMSA, with its own resources, distribution network, ware housing and procurement system that the country can get quality drugs. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, KEMSA has a bad history. It has been the cash cow for the bureaucrats in the Ministry of Health. They could procure and provide drugs as long as they get kickback. Counterfeit and expired drugs were the order of the day at KEMSA. For us to move from that, this Bill gives it independence and aligns it to Vision 2030 that this country aspires. If you go to Garissa today, for example, you will see a huge warehouse which is owned by KEMSA. There have been no drugs in that facility for the last five years. However, if you visit the KEMSA Headquarters at Industrial Area now, you will find all the briefcase companies which sell counterfeit and expired drugs. The private sector does not want to buy their drugs. The money allocated by this House does not reach KEMSA because of the bureaucratic system at the Ministry of Health. We want to move away from that and give KEMSA a law that will give it independence in administration, warehousing, storage, financing and procurement of the drugs, so that each and every Kenyan regardless of where he lives can access quality drugs in every dispensary. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Bill has set up an independent Board with its own functions. If you look at our neighbours and even in developing countries, you will find that an equivalent of KEMSA is producing drugs. As we celebrate the Jubilee Year, it is very shameful today KEMSA can procure and import syringes. We know the syringes supply row where corruption was the order of the day. The Committee of Parliament, under the leadership of Dr. Monda, has found out that we need to set a proper healthcare insurance scheme which is affordable to all Kenyans. An important element of that healthcare insurance scheme for all Kenyans which is affordable starts with an independent Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, which this House is discussing this morning. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, with those few remarks, I beg to second the Bill. I want to request my colleagues that when it comes to the Third Reading or at the"
}