KEMSA AT THE HEART OF WORLD PHARMACISTS DAY 2026: CELEBRATING PHARMACISTS UNDER THE WISE LEADERSHIP OF CEO DR WAQO DULACHA EJERSA

As the world today marks World Pharmacists Day 2026 on September 25, 2026, under the global theme “Empowering pharmacists for healthier futures” as declared by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), Kenya stands tall and proud because at the heart of its healthcare supply chain is a reformed, focused and visionary institution Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) - under the wise, transformative and servant leadership of Chief Executive Officer Dr. Waqo Dulacha Ejersa.

This year’s theme speaks directly to what KEMSA does every single day. To empower a pharmacist, you must give them one thing: timely access to quality, affordable, safe and effective Health Products and Technologies (HPTs). And that is exactly what KEMSA has perfected under Dr. Waqo.

From procurement to warehousing to last-mile delivery, KEMSA has become the true partner of every pharmacist in Kenya - whether in a Level 6 referral hospital in Nairobi, a county hospital in Turkana, or a rural dispensary in Kwale. The pharmacist can now serve the patient with confidence because KEMSA has ensured the shelf is not empty.

A CEO WHO UNDERSTANDS THE PHARMACIST

Dr. Waqo Dulacha Ejersa is not just an administrator; he is a public health champion who deeply understands the critical role of pharmacists as the last line of defense between a prescription and a patient’s life. Since taking over the leadership at KEMSA, he has restored trust, transparency, efficiency and integrity in the Authority.

Under his stewardship, KEMSA has strengthened its systems to ensure no Kenyan is denied essential medicines due to supply chain failures. He has championed the *"from procurement to the last mile"* philosophy that is captured so powerfully in today's World Pharmacists Day poster - showing KEMSA staff on the ground, in helmets and lab coats, verifying stocks and ensuring quality.

His leadership has seen:

- Improved order fill rates for counties

- Enhanced quality assurance for all HPTs

- Faster turnaround times from order to delivery

- Digitization and accountability in the supply chain

- A motivated workforce that works with pride as seen in the 2026 World Pharmacists Day image

Dr. Waqo has returned KEMSA to its core mandate: *Your Partner in Healthcare.* And today, as we celebrate pharmacists, pharmacists are celebrating KEMSA.

*EMPOWERING PHARMACISTS FOR HEALTHIER FUTURES*

The FIP could not have chosen a better theme. A pharmacist without commodities is disempowered. A pharmacist with a steady, quality-assured supply from KEMSA is empowered to save lives, counsel patients, manage stocks, and build a healthier future for Kenya as envisaged in Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Today, on World Pharmacists Day 2026 and World Pharmacy Week (September 19-25), we salute all pharmacists across Kenya and the world. We also salute the institution that empowers them daily - KEMSA.

And we give special recognition to the man at the helm, Dr. Waqo Dulacha Ejersa, whose wise, calm, focused and results-driven leadership has made KEMSA a model institution in Africa.

Indeed, healthier futures begin with empowered pharmacists, and empowered pharmacists begin with a strong KEMSA.