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{
    "id": 1294461,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1294461/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 265,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "The Senate Majority Leader",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "we have is a capitalist healthcare system where it is only accessible to those that can pay. We cannot continue that way. We need to build and give enabling conditions for UHC as provided in this Bill so that we provide the safety net for all Kenyans and they can feel proud to be part and parcel of us. Further, Madam Temporary Speaker, this social health insurance promotes fairness and social cohesion by redistributing the financial burden across the different income groups. That is a point that I have ably explained. We have a petition going round about NHIF, saying that some people will lose jobs and so on. I have seen it and it will be part of what I will respond to later. However, we all appreciate that NHIF as presently constituted needs re-engineering. As it is, it is a bedrock of impunity and corruption. It is unsustainable and not financially viable despite all the resources that they collect. All other health insurances are flourishing and making money but the one that has the most customers cannot turn up profit because of so many inbuilt inefficiencies. A premium buyer is a customer just like in all these other health insurance service providers. Therefore, issues of fraud, misuse of the funds, misreporting, paying other clinics earlier than the rest was just a whole idea about NHIF. As it is, the NHIF needs reorganisation. I have seen in the transitional clauses of the Bill, how the Bill intends to request the staffers that are served therein, to apply. They will go through a vetting. If you know for sure that you have done nothing, there is absolutely nothing to fear, I do not think there will be prejudice on anyone who will say that they have served the institution well to the best of their abilities; and ask to be allowed to serve in the new institution. I do not think there will be trouble for it. Madam Temporary Speaker, I saw a petition from retired civil servants circulating. They were saying that they used to have a special package, which they were now going to lose and many of them will die. First of all, I find it to be a very selfish petition. I am sorry to say that to the retired civil servants that are watching. However, we are trying to put in place a social health insurance that brings in place all the 50 million Kenyans. For you, your only concern is about you and how you can be safe. First of all, we have paid you your entire adult working life, ensuring that you have good healthcare at the expense of other Kenyans, including the very poor villagers in farflung villages from Vanga all the way to Turkana County where we were. They all contribute to you, as a civil servant, living well when you were in office. When you are in retirement, you still want to tell them at a time like this when we are trying to ensure that every Kenyan is now put--- This Bill does not exclude anyone, including those retired civil servants. However, the problem that they have, is that they are telling us that it be put in writing that they will be part and parcel. They are not thinking about the people that have been paying taxes for them to enjoy a good life in their productive years. They want the same people to still pay for them in their retirement. I do not think that is right. Madam Temporary Speaker, misinformed as their petition is, I wish to inform them for the record, that the social health insurance that is being provided here, covers every Kenyan up to the age of 100. So, unless we have retired civil servants who are 101."
}