Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has sharply criticised MPs over what he termed as dishonesty in their criticism of the new medical insurance scheme.
Speaking in Chwele, Lusaka highlighted that the same MPs who are now attacking the scheme at funerals and public forums are hypocritical, stating that they were the same people who passed it in Parliament.
“It is very hypocritical that the same leaders who approved the medical scheme are now claiming it is unworkable,” Lusaka said.
The governor expressed dismay that elected leaders, entrusted with the mandate to legislate, are now feigning ignorance about the scheme’s operations.
He urged lawmakers to use their influence to educate citizens on the benefits of medical cover, especially the less-educated Kenyans, instead of spreading misinformation.
Lusaka encouraged residents to enrol in the medical scheme, emphasising that healthcare costs are prohibitive for many families without such support.
He urged MPs to address any issues with the scheme by amending it in Parliament instead of making noise in public forums.
He also raised concerns about the low uptake of the insurance scheme in the Western region, contrasting it with higher registration rates in regions such as Central Kenya.
The governor called on local leaders to be truthful and avoid misleading constituents for political gain.
The two Houses of Parliament approved the four Health Bills with minimal interventions from parliamentarians.
President William Ruto signed the four healthcare bills, the Social Health Insurance Bill, Primary Health Care Bill, Facility Improvement Financing Bill, and Digital Health Bill into law on October 17, 2023, after they were passed by the Parliament.
The Social Health Insurance Act 2023, as the laws were collectively called, set forth a comprehensive strategy to revamp Kenya’s healthcare financing system.
The legislation seeks to address the longstanding issues that have plagued the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) while simultaneously expanding the scope of health insurance coverage.
by Allan Kisia