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Sittings /

National Assembly · Morning Sitting

Wednesday, 23 July 2025

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Session Summary

Members debated the deteriorating state of Kenya's public health system, urging a return to quality, clean and affordable services while supporting the Universal Health Coverage agenda and the Social Health Authority. They highlighted challenges such as poor hospital cleanliness, inequitable access, and resource mismanagement, and called for legislative action to improve funding, accountability and align health outcomes with Vision 2030 goals. Members debated the need to improve health services, questioning whether legislation can compel officials to use public facilities and highlighting shortcomings of the newly formed Social Health Authority (SHA) compared to the NHIF. The discussion emphasized governance failures, mismanagement of resources, and debts owed to KEMSA, while urging political leaders to prioritize integrity and let professionals drive reforms. Constructive suggestions were offered, but the overall tone reflected frustration with current health sector performance. Members highlighted serious shortcomings in public education and health services, noting under‑qualified teachers and under‑staffed, poorly equipped health facilities. They called for stronger oversight, increased funding to meet the Abuja Declaration, and a shift toward preventive, promotive and digital health solutions, while urging the Social Health Authority to make contributions more affordable.

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Hon. Deputy Speaker

Serjeant-at-Arms, kindly ring the Quorum Bell for 10 minutes. Serjeant-at-Arms, you may stop the Quorum Bell. Hon. Leader of the Majority Party.

[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]

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Hon. Owen Baya (Kilifi North, UDA)

Hon. Deputy Speaker, I want to ask the Member for Wamunyoro to slow down and keep quiet so we can lay the papers. I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table:

H
Hon. Deputy Speaker

Next Order.

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Hon. Paul Nabuin (Turkana North, ODM)

I am here.

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Hon. Deputy Speaker

I can see you, but the Chairperson responding to your statement is not here.

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Hon. Paul Nabuin (Turkana North, ODM)

I got a written response.

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Hon. Deputy Speaker

It does not matter. They are still expected to table it here and then give you a copy for your records. So, we will pass that. The next response is from the Departmental Committee on Education to a request by Hon. Josses Lelmengit of Emgwen. Is the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education here? Are you here on his behalf? Is the Member for Emgwen present? If not, then we will stand …

[(Statement deferred)]

[(Statement deferred)]

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The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

Hon. Chairperson.

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Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai (Kitui South, JP)

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to report that the Committee of the whole House has considered the Institute of Social Work Professionals Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 17 of 2023) and approved the same with amendments.

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The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

Mover.

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Hon. Joshua Kimilu (Kaiti, WDM)

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I beg to move that the House do agree with the Committee in the said report. I request Hon. Gichimu to second the Motion for agreement with the report of the Committee of the whole House.

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Hon. Gichimu Githinji (Gichugu, UDA)

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I second.

[(Question proposed)]

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The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

If there is no interest in this, for obvious reasons, we will move to the next Order. The Question will be put to this matter when we have the necessary quorum.

T
The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

Next Order.

T
The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

Is Hon. Sabina Chege in the House? This is for you to move. Hon. Members, before she does so, join me in recognising students from Lukenya Primary and Junior Secondary School from Gichugu Constituency, Kirinyaga County and the Fountain Group of Schools from Limuru Constituency in Kiambu County. They are welcome to follow our proceedings this morning. I had already given Hon. Sabina Chege a chanc…

[(Hon. Sabina Chege spoke off the record)]

[(Hon. Gichimu Githinji spoke off the record)]

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Hon. Gichimu Githinji (Gichugu, UDA)

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I take this opportunity to appreciate all students who have visited Parliament this morning, along with all other visitors in both galleries. I especially want to recognise that Lukenya Primary has brought about 100 students to visit Parliament. This school is located within my constituency. It has been performing very well academically and in extracurricular ac…

[(Hon. David Ochieng’)]

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Hon. Phylis Bartoo (Moiben, UDA)

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me the chance to welcome village elders from Moiben Constituency. They are from three wards: Moiben, Sergoit and Karuna/Meibeki. I take this opportunity to welcome them, Chamgei. Village elders are grassroots leaders who play a very important role. They are the pillars that support me in the constituency. For instance, when the Ministry of Health has …

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The Temporary Speaker (Hon. David Ochieng’)

I must remind Members that the

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The Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai)

Hon. Members, the time being