The Cohesion and Equal Opportunities Committee has called out Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) over the failure to issue employment and tenders to the youths.
In a meeting chaired by Mandera West Member of Parliament (MP) Adan Haji, KEMSA’s acting CEO, Dr. Andrew Mulwa, highlighted that merely eight out of 562 Authority staff were youths.
“The statistics before the Committee on employment and issuance of tenders to youths is a clear manifestation of discrimination against youths,” said Hon Haji.
Further Mulwa stated that the issuance of tenders to youths was biased and discriminative.
“The statistics before the Committee on employment and issuance of tenders to youths is a clear manifestation of discrimination against youths,” said Hon Haji.
Also present were MPs Fred Ikana, Jane Kagiri, and Eng. Paul Nzengu, all of whom echoed concerns about KEMSA’s failure to provide opportunities for young people.
“Why can’t KEMSA divide such a tender into small quantities to be able to attract many youths!” Ikana remarked.
The MPs reacted after Dr. Mulwa informed them that a glove supply tender exceeding Kshs. 1 billion was not awarded to youths due to their lack of capacity.
“KEMSA does not have interests of youths in issuance of tenders…they make it difficult for them to afford”, said Hon. Nzengu.
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Mulwa emphasized the need to empower the youth as he pointed out that failure to offer them tenders and employment opportunities was a violation of existing laws.
Questions over discrimination of People Living With Disabilities
Laikipia MP Jane Kagiri highlighted that the documents presented to the Committee suggested favoritism in KEMSA’s tender allocation, with certain companies being picked over others.
Nakuru county MP Liza Chelule, on her part, expressed concerns over the exclusion of People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) in employment opportunities.
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She pointed out that the Authority had a very low representation of PLWDs and that they were not considered in the last recruitment exercises.
“KEMSA has a representation of only 2.1 percent of PLWDs. No PLWD has been employed in the last three recruitments,” said Chelule.
Dr. Mulwa responded to the claims and stated that the Authority has put in place measures to deal with the situation.
He emphasized their commitment to complying with the law, which requires agencies to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunities for all Kenyan communities.
