Profile: Susan Nakhumicha Wafula, the new Health CS

Susan Nakhumicha Wafula, a new health Cabinet Secretary (CS) who was born and bred in Bungoma County, will succeed the lauded Mutahi Kagwe, who was praised for his outstanding efforts at the start of Covid-19.

This comes after President William Ruto appointed her on Tuesday night. Nakhumicha is renowned for shining in educational matters thanks to her extensive and substantial curriculum vitae.

So who is she?

She is an alumnus of Jomo Kenyatta University [JKUAT] and holds a Bachelor Degree in Procurement and Management, a Master's degree in Logistics, Procurement, and Supply Chain Management, and a Ph.D. in Business Management at the same University.

She also has a diploma in Pharmacy from Kenya Medical Training Institute (KMTC) and another Diploma in Healthcare Management from the Kenya Institute of Management.

Until her appointment, the new Afya House boss worked as Head of Supply at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) a global Program for Research and Training.

This program deals with curbing the challenges of infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis by partnering with health stakeholders.

Could this be one of the reasons that Ruto saw it fit to appoint her as the Health CS?

Politically, she unsuccessfully vied for the Trans-Nzoia Woman Representative seat in 2022 after being a Ford party member where she is also the vice chairperson for women, youth, and children.

In her manifesto for the woman-rep position, the well-read politician listed maternal health, water and sanitation, affirmative social economic empowerment, youth involvement and empowerment, and girl-child education.

Her appointment is now a chance for her to accomplish all that and much more since it is now a bigger platform.

Is Susan Nakhumicha qualified for the health CS position?

In addition to her many papers, she also has experience serving in Nairobi Women’s Hospital as the Procurement and Logistics Manager

Between 2007 and 2013, Dr.Susan Wafula worked as the purchasing manager of the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies. Additionally, Wafula served as a pharmacy in charge of the AAR Kisumu branch.

Her LinkedIn page describes her expertise as; procurement and supply chain, knowledge in efficient tracking and traceability of goods, and capable of improving supply chain performance in four key areas of efficiency, reliability, resilience, and sustainability.

Kenyans only have to sit and watch as she executes her mandate and maintains the bar set by her predecessor Mutahi Kagwe.

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