Senators propose audit on impact of devolving health

Three senators have called for an independent audit before recommendations can be made on whether to revert the health function to the national government.

Bonny Khalwale (Kakamega), Kimani wa Matangi (Kiambu) and Omar Hassan of Mombasa said the proposal to return the docket to the national government is ill-advised.

They said the matter should not be debated until a team is dispatched to physically assess the extent of the work done by governors on health.

Speaking in Eldoret after visiting Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, the senators said counties had invested heavily in the provision of heath services.

“The call to revert the health function is as well as killing devolution because it is one of the successful ventures that most counties have undertaken in safeguarding the lives of its citizens,” said Khalwale. He added that since health was devolved, tremendous changes have been realised, with additional health facilities initiated in most counties.

According to the Parliamentary Health Committee, the proposal to revert health to the national government was based on a resolution tabled in the House. The committee says the proposal was enforced following views from the public on the status of the health services.

Wa Matangi said there was need to allocate more funds to health so that governors can provide equitable services to the public instead of reverting the docket to the national government.

Hassan said there is need to ascertain the legality of the MPs’ call, saying it is unlawful.