Site readiness assessment preceding the implementation of a HIV care and treatment electronic medical record system in Kenya

•A critical step to maximize the potential for successful and sustained EMR adoption and use is to assure site readiness prior to EMR deployment.•ERA was conducted by a team of 3–5 people who were mentored and oriented by I-TECH team on the assessment process.•ERA outcomes included; point of care EMR or retrospective data entry EMR or no EMR implementation.•ERA assisted in resource mobilization, remediation of implementation gaps, formulation of upgrade plans and MOH buy-in to support EMR.•We recommend that the sites be followed up and evaluated to determine how successful they are in EMR implementation, adoption and use.