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{
    "id": 1501925,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1501925/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 127,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Nyamu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to discuss or give pointers on the President’s Address that he delivered during the Joint Sitting. The President noted that the Government has learnt through the hard way to listen to its citizens on issues they raise from time to time. He also acknowledged the mistake that we made. For example, when we attempted to pass the Finance Bill, 2024, we did not carry the whole country with us. We did not take time to communicate and let them know gainful steps that we were going to achieve through that Bill. That was the mood of his Address. He wanted the whole country to know the steps that we are taking. The steps that we are making in the health sector are revolutionary. For the first time, I heard the President refer to it as Taifa Care. I was seated next to the Senator for Nakuru, Sen. Tabitha Keroche. I told her that if it were a selfish leader, they would have called it Ruto Care. The changes that are going to be effected by laws that we passed in this House are revolutionary. They will be a game changer when finally implemented. We, politicians, are called upon from time to time to help our people whenever they have family members going through health issues. It has been very expensive to treat our people in the past. I remember when we were campaigning and going to the people to give them promises of what we were going to do, the President, time and again, referred to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and how it was going to work. He said that it would be pegged on what one is earning. Today, we are charged 2.75 per cent of gross income. In October, I was deducted Kshs32,000 up from the Kshs1,700 that I used to pay before. We have those who earn less. The least contribution is Kshs300 down from Kshs500. That means that when all Kenyans are covered comprehensively, we will have fewer harambees to attend to. We should not complain about Kshs32,000 that we are being deducted because that is just a drop in the ocean compared to what we give every day through M-Pesa, harambees, or assisting other people to sort their health issues. I do not know if Kenyans know that previously if you found somebody stabbed by the roadside, you could not dare take that person to hospital because you would have to cover their costs. Under the SHIF, you can freely take such a person to hospital for emergency care because they are covered. Chronic illnesses are also covered. We are going to improve our facilities, so that we do not have to travel out of the country to get vital treatment after conducting harambees. For me, if this Government does not do anything else, if we fully implement the SHIF, we will have done enough for our people. We will have done God’s work. As leaders, that is what we are called to do. The President also took time to reassure Kenyans that the housing programme, apart from employing many youth, is going to ensure houses are available for each citizen equitably and that there will be no favouritism. He encouraged as many Kenyans The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}