Parliament witnessed a dynamic week of deliberations, with MPs endorsing a motion to enhance healthcare delivery.
Lawmakers also received key updates on the status of sports infrastructure and national road developments.
In a move to restore public confidence in public hospitals, MPs overwhelmingly supported a motion mandating all public officers to seek treatment in public health facilities.
The motion-tabled by Nominated MP Sabina Chege- aims to accelerate the realisation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and address persistent inequalities in healthcare access.
Chege emphasised the urgent need to improve the quality of care in public hospitals, decrying chronic underfunding that continues to hamper service delivery.
“Many of our health facilities are in disrepair. By making it mandatory for leaders to use them, we will be forced to fix what’s broken,” she told the House.
Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi supported the motion, urging a cultural shift in how Kenyans perceive public services.
“We trust the same doctors in private clinics, yet doubt their ability in public hospitals. The issue is perception, not competence,” she said.
Health Committee Chairperson James Nyikal echoed these sentiments, calling for Parliament to lead by example.
“We must begin with ourselves. If we commit to using public hospitals, we send a strong message about trust in our systems,” Nyikal asserted, pushing for reforms to make public health facilities the gold standard.
Elgeyo Marakwet MP Caroline Ng’elechei reminded the House that health is a devolved function, urging county governments to invest more in hospital cleanliness, equipment, and staffing.
Meanwhile, in the Senate, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, the Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, updated lawmakers on Kenya’s preparedness for major continental tournaments.
The country is set to co-host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2025 and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.
CS Mvurya reported that final inspections for CHAN 2025 venues were completed in June.
Construction is ongoing for AFCON facilities, with projected completion timelines between December 2025 and June 2026.
In the National Assembly, Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir, faced tough questions from MPs regarding the state of stalled road projects across the country.
Responding under Standing Order 42A(6B), the CS admitted that delays in contractor payments had caused multiple projects to grind to a halt.
“The government is working to clear pending bills to enable contractors to resume work,” Chirchir assured MPs.
Lawmakers demanded updates on incomplete roads in their constituencies, citing stalled development and inconvenience to residents.
A particularly heated exchange centered on the Wajir–Griftu–Eldas–Buna–Bute–Moyale international road corridor, with MPs from Northern Kenya slamming the Ministry for what they described as "empty promises" and "a lack of political will."
The road, considered a key trade link between Kenya and Ethiopia, remains largely untouched despite its potential to boost economic activity and enhance regional integration.
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