Court Blocks Military Takeover of KEMSA Operations, Firing of Employees

A Nairobi court has issued orders barring the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) from firing its employees.

Justice Ocharo Kebira of the Employment and Labor Relations Court issued the orders on Monday pending the hearing and determination of a petition challenging the agency’s plan to retrench hundreds of employees.

The judge further stopped the planned takeover of KEMSA by the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) and National Youth Service (NYS).

"A Conservatory Order is issued restricting the Respondents from, declaring redundant or terminating the services of the 1st Respondent's members of staff and enlisting or employing active members of the Kenya Defense Forces and National Youth services (NYS) to take up positions occupied by those members, pending the hearing and determination of the application inter parts," reads the order.

The matter was certified as urgent, with the hearing date scheduled for November 16th.

Last week, KEMSA announced the redundancy of positions in the agency within the next month in what it termed as organizational restructuring.

The agency also directed its employees to work from home during the period, except for a few officials tasked with essential services. 

The management said seniority, skills, competencies, merit, ability, and reliability would be used to determine what positions would be declared redundant. 

In its 2018/2019 financial year report, the office of the Auditor-General said KEMSA had 791 members of staff, 450 more than it was approved to hire.