Treasury CS John Mbadi briefs the media shortly after making his address during the mid-term retreat for Members of Parliament at Lake Naivasha Resort on January 30, 2025.
A post-service medical scheme for MPs, review of President William Ruto’s Universal Health Coverage plan, and priorities in this year’s Budget making process following the 2024 chaotic season over the Finance Bill topped the theme during a three-day retreat by the National Assembly.
The event was convened in Naivasha, Nakuru county, to review MPs’ performance and set the legislative agenda for the coming months as the 13th Parliament approaches its midterm.
The retreat brought together the entire House leadership, members of the Parliamentary Service Commission, the House Business Committee, and committee chairpersons, marking the first such informal sitting of its kind.
Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula set the tone for the gathering, reminding MPs of their duty to deliver.
“We have a responsibility to always charge ourselves to deliver on our constitutional mandate as a House,” Mr Wetang’ula said. “From experience, this is a time for the House to reach the peak of its action and delivery to our people.”
As the meeting concluded on Thursday, January 30, several key resolutions were adopted, with action expected once the House resumes on February 11, 2025.
Post-service medical scheme
Top among the resolutions was giving priority to a post-service medical scheme for legislators.
The Parliamentary Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2023, sponsored by Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu, seeks to introduce a contributory medical scheme for MPs to ensure access to healthcare after leaving office.
The proposed scheme will allow a Member of Parliament, while in office, to contribute to the provision of post-employment medical services to access health services when he or she exits office.
“By contributing to such schemes while in office, members can safeguard their health by ensuring that they are able to access health services even when they leave office,” said Mr Wetang’ula.
Dr Mulu noted that the proposal is gaining traction among MPs who recognise the need to secure their medical future.
“Members are realising that they are potential former MPs and are now keen on their life after Parliament,” Dr Mulu said.
He explained that the scheme won't be an additional burden on the taxpayer as it will be contributory, just like the pension, and it is designed to help lawmakers continue to have access to quality healthcare after they leave Parliament.
It was resolved during the retreat that the House Business Committee chaired by Mr Wetang’ula will give the Bill priority when the House resumes its sittings.
Pending bills
Also discussed were the 283 Bills pending before various parliamentary committees with some having stayed for two years without consideration.
Nation.Africa has learnt Speaker Wetang’ula gave a deadline of two weeks to the chairpersons of the various committees after resumption of the House to give a report or an update on the progress.
During the retreat, Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge urged committee chairpersons to fast-track the Bills for onward transmission to the House for consideration.
"I want to take this opportunity to urge chairpersons of the committees to expedite the process of dealing with the legislative proposals drafted by Members and pending on their in-trays," Mr Njoroge told MPs during the retreat.
SHA issue
On the Social Health Authority (SHA), it was a unanimous decision from members across political divide that the House must rise to the occasion and do something about it.
While some MPs called for a reversal to the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), others asked for patience with the new scheme even though they all agreed that Kenyans are suffering due to the inefficiency of the system.
“The good thing is that even those from the government now agree with us that this thing (Social Health Insurance Fund) is not working and radical steps have to be taken,” said a first term MP who didn’t want to be named.
A series of meetings have been planned between MPs and the Ministry of Health when the House resumes to tackle some of the inefficiencies that have so far been witnessed with an aim of finding a permanent solution.
“One thing we must do is to audit this new system. We must ask how it was acquired. Why is it failing all the time? And why buy a new (technology) system for Sh104 billion and our people are still suffering?” asked Kitui Rural MP David Mwalika.
On its last day engagement with National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi that went up late in the night, the lawmakers were categorical that the ministry must give priority to important sectors such as agriculture, foreign investment, university education funding and teacher pensions.
Mr Mbadi assured the lawmakers that the global economy has stabilised, with growth projected at 3.2 per cent in 2024 and 3.3 per cent in 2025, a growth he said will have a positive impact on the country’s economy.
Mr Mbadi further told his former colleagues that the Kenyans shilling has so far stabilised against the dollar and is within the Sh128-130 range since January 2024, an improvement from Sh160.8 in January 2024 to Sh129.4 in January 2025.
On the budget making process for the Financial Year 2025/2026, the Budget and Appropriations Committee is expected to meet with Mr Mbadi in Mombasa this week to discuss how to go about it this year.
The Budget Policy Statement (BPS) is expected to be tabled before February 14.
