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{
    "id": 1110793,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1110793/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 433,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kikuyu, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1835,
        "legal_name": "Anthony Kimani Ichung'Wah",
        "slug": "anthony-kimani-ichungwah"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I wish to also take this opportunity to thank the Leader of the Majority Party who was the Mover of this Bill and Members who contributed in the Second Reading and persevered since yesterday by sitting here for the long hours that we sat yesterday afternoon up to evening, of course, including the very able Chair and the Vice-Chair of the Departmental Committee on Health for their diligence in this Bill. I thank Members for their patience. If you look around the House, you will notice that very many of us, especially those of us who speak for and on behalf of the hustling Kenyans, agree with the Leader of the Majority Party that, indeed, to many of us that are representatives of the people, we bear the pain of our people. This Bill is so important to the people of Kenya. It is not about what the media reported last night that the House is making it compulsory for everybody. It is important to note that we have made provisos, especially for unemployed youth who have no source of income, to work with the NHIF Board to voluntarily offer contributions to the Board and benefit from healthcare. Let me also be quick to mention that, under Article 43 of the Constitution, healthcare and its provision is a social right that is guaranteed to each and every Kenyan. This Bill, therefore, is very important not just to us as representatives of the people, but also as citizens and Kenyans. It is indeed true what the Leader of the Majority Party has said, that millions of Kenyans pre and post the COVID-19 pandemic have lost property and their livelihoods as they sought to settle hospital bills. This Bill, if actualised and operationalised, will serve our people better. I join the Leader of the Majority Party in appealing to the other House, the Senate, to quickly pass this Bill and allow it to become operational to enable Kenyans access a social insurance scheme that will help them get affordable and universal health coverage. Lastly, even as I thank the Leader of the Majority Party, I think being the Mover of this Bill he now knows he has true friends in this House. If you look across, you can see you have true friends in ODM. If you look behind you, you will see you have true and real friends who will stand with you any time you have business in this House that is pro-people. Leader of the Majority Party, I want to tell you that, indeed, we were lobbied. We were lobbied to have this Bill defeated. The Leader of the Majority Party, you have to hear this. We were lobbied to have this Bill defeated in your hands. But there is no way we would have allowed such an important Bill to die in your hands to punish you."
}