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{
    "id": 1343799,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1343799/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 1402,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kikuyu, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Hon. Deputy Speaker, before you put the question, allow me to take this opportunity to thank these great patriots. They have sat here the whole day from 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m., to change the architecture of our healthcare insurance sector and change lives for the Kenyan people. In conclusion, let me just reassure Members who had reservations on the question of the First Schedule and Clause 6. As I said, the NHIF until the new authority is set-up and recruits its staff, their staff will continue to work because the Fund will continue until it is succeeded. That is why in the Bill, Clause 6 covers transition and there will be very smooth transition. Not a single staff member of NHIF will lose their job. I know many Members have been lobbied by staff of NHIF believing that upon the enactment of this Bill, they would lose their jobs. I want to assure them that they shall not lose their jobs. Those who may opt to retire will retire. Those who shall be found unsuitably qualified to work with the new authority, shall be redeployed within the public service. That is what this Act is saying. Therefore, be rest assured that the Kenya Kwanza administration is in the business of creating jobs, not firing people from their jobs, unless you are part of the corruption cartels. That is why we have objected to the mass blanket transfer of staff of NHIF. As you know, there are staff who are on suspension, but they are still staff of NHIF. They are on suspension because they are under active investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and other investigative agencies over matters to do, especially with claims management and claims payment at NHIF. With those many remarks, once again I thank all these great patriots and the people of Kenya can see. I hope a list must be published of all the Members who sacrificed time from their families to work late into the night and ensure that no other Kenyan family will suffer the anguish of having their property auctioned on account of hospital bills. This new Bill will change how healthcare is managed in this country. This is together with the two Bills: the Primary Health Care Fund and the Facilities Improvement Fund are being considered by the Senate. They will come to this House once adopted by the Senate. This will make us realise what we promised the people of Kenya. I am certain whether you were in Kenya Kwanza or Azimio last year, we all went out to Kenyans and promised them Universal Health Coverage. This will be realised with the adoption of these four Bills. I beg you that when the other two Bills come from the Senate, and then they go through public participation in line with our procedures, we shall be here— patriotic as we have been today— to enact them and pass them into law."
}