Economy

Kemsa to review recruitment as nepotism claims emerge

JONAH

Kemsa chief executive Jonah Manjari. FILE PHOTO | NMG

The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) is seeking a consultant to review its business operations and hiring methods amid claims of entrenched nepotism.

Kemsa chief executive Jonah Manjari Mwangi said the restructuring of its staff “will enhance efficiency and effectiveness of business process and strategic direction.”

“The issues we will address through the audit include nepotism, matching competency and ensuring we have regional balance within the company,” he said.

The human resource review "will be a painful process but the results will only make us better.”

Allegations of nepotism have hit the agency with claims that directors and managers have employed their relatives to serve in key positions within the organisation.

Business Daily has established that Kemsa executives in charge of Finance, Human Resource and Procurement divisions have hired their in-laws, children and siblings in key departments.

Mr Manjari who did not confirm the allegations said that should the audit reveal that the employees were offered employment unfairly then they stand to be let go.

The consultancy will also do a job evaluation of its 766 permanent and staff on contract to match them appropriately.

“We have employees in procurement and are not qualified to be there, others belong in procurement yet are stationed at distribution, so these are among the things we want to tame,” he said.

Mr Manjari took up the CEO job in July 2018 is expected to steer the parastatal's growth amid a reputational crisis after its officers were accused of supplying expired drugs.