Homa Bay Township MP Peter Kaluma (pictured) is seeking to introduce a raft of measures in the National Assembly to cushion Kenyans against the effects of Covid-19.
The MP has proposed a Coronavirus Act, 2020 in which he has outlined 25 issues that will ensure Kenyans, including healthcare givers, are protected against the pandemic.
The proposals require the State to make welfare provisions or to procure and supply food rations to low-income families and vulnerable groups and/or, to require that all vulnerable persons benefit from the established government cash transfer system.
At a time when MPs are under fire over their dismal role in engaging the public discourse concerning the virus, Mr Kaluma proposes the reaffirmation of the role of Parliament and Judiciary.
“Parliament and Judiciary should be clustered as essential public services to provide for non-exclusion/ouster of legislative, budgeting and oversight roles of Parliament during the pandemic as well as non-exclusion/ouster of judicial authority to sit and to review the exercise of State powers during the period of the pandemic,” he proposes.
He proposes provision of live links in judicial and parliamentary proceedings.
The MP wants tenants protected from eviction from residential houses during the pandemic, and recommends the suspension of all eviction notices and proceedings during the pandemic.
“The government should put in place measures to protect families from disconnection of water supply and to make water available to people during the period of the pandemic without charge,” reads his proposals in a letter to Speaker Justin Muturi dated April 6.
Kaluma wants the establishment of a Coronavirus Fund to clearly provide for funding sources, objects and management of the Fund, and accounting and its audit.
He wants the Health Cabinet secretary to report to the nation from Parliament at least once every two weeks on progress made.
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