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The proposed Health Bill 2014 has raised an outcry among political and health experts who have vowed to oppose it.
They said the Government wants to use the bill to frustrate devolution.
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said the bill will weaken devolution, hence denying Kenyans access to better health services at the county level.
Mr Oparanya said several sections in the bill deny county governments the mandate to handle the health sector despite health being a devolved function.
He said the Council of Governors is opposed to any national legislation that will undermine devolution.
“The proposed Health Bill 2014 contains a number of clauses which if passed will seriously undermine the counties’ management of the Health sector,” he said.
He said Section 16(1) gives the director general powers to advise county governments on matters of public health while section 27 establishes the health authority, which takes away the powers of county public service board.
He said Section 25 of the bill gives the national government authority to continue procuring commodities for county governments.
“Section 37 of the bill limits county governments on procurement of drugs from Kenya Medical Supplies Agency,” he said.
And Section 55 gives National Treasury powers to facilitate opening and maintenance of bank accounts for operationalisation of conditional grants, donations and other monies at both county and national levels, clearly taking over the powers of county treasuries.
Stop Interfering
“The national government should stop interfering with the ealth sector. Let county governments handle the sector because it is a devolved function. I am committed towards better health services for our people and that is why we have had no disruptions in the sector as witnessed in other counties,” he said.
Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba, who is opposed to the bill, said he would marshal support from other MPs to ensure it is not passed.
“It undermines the spirit of devolution. Devolution is a reality and it does not have a reverse gear,” said Mr Namwamba.
Kenya National Union Nurses National Chairperson Theophilus Musundi opposed the health bill saying it lacks the input of health professionals. "MPs, county governments and health professionals should oppose the bill because it does represent the people. Our input as health experts should be included," Mr Musundi said.
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