Some of the concerns include poor service delivery, poor communication, inadequate funding, unclear implementation frameworks, and the already-strained relationship between citizens and the healthcare system.

The National Assembly has directed Health Committee Chairperson Robert Pukose to seek responses on the issues raised by Members of Parliament over the Social Health Authority (SHA) and table responses when the house resumes next month.

On Thursday, Legislators put Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimutai and Social Health Authority (SHA) Board Chairman Abdi Mohamed on the spot over implementation of the new health program.

Key among them were concerns about poor service delivery, poor communication, inadequate funding, unclear implementation frameworks, and the already-strained relationship between citizens and the healthcare system.

During their ongoing mid-retreat in Naivasha, the duo sought to gain the backing of Members of the National Assembly for the SHA registration campaign.

MPs concerns

Leader of the Majority Party, Kimani Ichung’wah, criticized SHA’s inadequate public outreach, pointing out the lack of adequate communication.

Ichung’wah urged SHA to engage vernacular radio stations and simplify messages for better public understanding. 

“Your communication is shambolic. MPs are mobilizing Kenyans on their own volition because SHA is failing in its role. If members of Parliament can’t explain the benefits, how do you expect villagers to understand?” he posed.

He also questioned the semi-autonomous agency’s capacity, calling for more accountability and efficiency.

“You are not communicating with Kenyans, until and unless those from the ministry speak. SHA, these members of parliament are trying on their own volition, to try and mobilize Kenyans to register. So, you tell us what your challenges are?” Ichung’wah stated.

According to him, Parliament enacted laws for SHA, which did not envisage that the PS or the ministry would superintend over the authority. 

“The authority is semi-autonomous, and you must show us that you have the capacity and ability to manage the institution. If you are not, you tell us you are not able and then the ministry or the government, or us, ourselves, we can take measure,” he held.

Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara described the program as a “hard sell,” given its financial struggles and lack of transparency. 

“My constituents are suffering. There are no services provided under this program. Can the ministry come up with a questionnaire to know where there are challenges in this program to address the challenge of lack of services in our health facilities,” she said.

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris echoed these frustrations, raising concerns about the program’s inclusivity, particularly for people with disabilities.

“Families with disabled children are struggling to register them. What are you doing to address this?” she asked.

Igembe Central MP John Paul Mwirigi decried the lack of services for registered patients complaining that the Taifa Care is not working as most facilities are not catering for patients under the SHA program.

“It is heartbreaking that patients are denied treatment and medication despite being registered,” he lamented.

“It is hurting that many patients are unable to get service including treatment and purchase of medicine, yet they are registered,” Mwirigi added.

Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi questioned how the Social Health Authority planned to address the funding shortfall and ensure increased public awareness. 

“Your presentation is shallow and is not telling is anything at, first, the bulk of benefits in SHA program are inferior to what NHIF was doing,” he lamented

MOH response

Mohamed disclosed that while the Taifa Care program has registered 22 million Kenyans, only four million are active, paid-up members. 

Mohamed said that they are working with the ministries and government agencies to budget and remit the outstanding NHIF debts.

He admitted to the funding gaps but assured the MPs that the government was working to address the issue.

“We acknowledge the financial challenges, but we remain committed to ensuring the success of this program. We are exploring partnerships with development agencies to bridge the gaps,” he explained.

The remaining 18 million have yet to contribute, a gap attributed to poor communication, inadequate sensitization, and financial hurdles.

The SHA officials urged MPs to champion the program in their constituencies, emphasizing its potential to provide equitable healthcare access.

They underscored the importance of sensitization of SHA registration and its benefits, emphasizing that increased enrolment would ensure every Kenyan has access to affordable and quality healthcare.

“We are calling on you as leaders to take this message to your constituents. Your endorsement and active involvement are critical to bridging the gap between the government and the people,” said Mohamed said, urging MPs to consider the long-term benefits of the program.

On his part, PS Kimutai reiterated that SHA is transformative and aimed at reducing healthcare burdens on vulnerable populations. 

“This is about equity in health services. We are counting on your leadership to make this vision a reality,” he told the MPs.

SHA Acting CEO Robert Ingasira acknowledged challenges in communication and outreach efforts but appealed to MPs to become goodwill ambassadors. 

He noted that, despite setbacks, there was room to register more Kenyans and pledged that gaps in service delivery were being addressed.

“I thank all members whom we worked closely together during the festivities to shove up the numbers that now we stand at 22 million members registered under the program. There is still room to register more Kenyans under this program,” said Ingasira. By Irene Mwangi, Capital News

Chief Justice Martha Koome has called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel to remain independent and resist external pressure when selecting new commissioners.

Speaking at the Supreme Court in Nairobi during the swearing-in of two additional panel members on Friday, January 31, Koome stated that public interest must guide the selection process.

"The oath you have taken is a solemn pledge to serve Kenya with unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the Constitution. The decisions you make will shape not just the 2027 elections but the future of our democracy," she said. 

Koome also urged institutions and stakeholders involved in the selection process to ensure swift, transparent, and credible recruitment of new commissioners.

She termed the prolonged delay in constituting the electoral body a threat to democracy. 

"For two years, Kenya has endured an unacceptable situation—an electoral commission without commissioners. This has hindered the IEBC from fully executing its constitutional mandate, creating significant gaps in our electoral processes," she said.

The Chief Justice reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting constitutional processes from interference.

"Recognising the urgency of this matter, I took responsibility to ensure that all cases affecting or delaying the constitution of the IEBC were prioritised for resolution.” 

The selection panel, which is holding its first sitting today, has 90 days to appoint new commissioners, as required by the amended IEBC Act.  By Mate Tongola, The Standard

By Dr LETICIA MOSHWE 

In the heart of Central Africa, a conflict decades in the making continues to unfold, with devastating consequences for millions. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a nation rich in minerals but marred by instability, once again finds itself under siege. The M23 rebel group, with alleged backing from Rwanda, has escalated its offensive, capturing Goma and encircling key territories, displacing hundreds of thousands in the process. The international community is watching, but the question remains: will there be action, or will history repeat itself? 

Hidden Hands at Play

This conflict is not merely a dispute between Rwanda and the DRC. It is a complex geopolitical crisis involving multiple actors, all with vested interests in the DRC’s vast mineral wealth. Rwanda, despite having no significant natural resources of its own, has emerged as a major supplier of cobalt and other minerals—resources found abundantly in the DRC. Similarly, Uganda has seen economic benefits from Congolese resources. One large nation, rich in minerals, is being drained by smaller but strategically aggressive neighbours. 

The M23 Resurgence

The roots of the M23 rebellion trace back to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Formed in 2012, the group accused the Congolese government of failing to integrate Tutsi fighters into the national army. Their initial rebellion led to the brief capture of Goma, prompting international donors to cut aid to Rwanda. Though they were eventually subdued, the group resurfaced in 2022, stronger and better equipped, thanks to reported Rwandan support. 

A Growing Humanitarian Catastrophe

The latest offensive has displaced over 400,000 people in the first month of 2025 alone. North and South Kivu, already home to 4.6 million internally displaced persons, are seeing an unprecedented surge in refugees. The UN has warned of catastrophic human rights violations should Goma fall completely under rebel control. The city, a hub for humanitarian operations, shelters over a million people fleeing violence elsewhere. The stakes could not be higher.

The ongoing unrest is worsening the humanitarian crisis, with telephone connections severed across the region. Many humanitarian organisations, including LIT Base Global, have lost contact with their teams on the ground, leaving them unable to coordinate relief efforts. LIT Base Global, which has been supporting displaced families in the Kivu camps, is deeply concerned for its members in the area. One Congolese national supported by the organisation managed to flee to Malawi but remains in severe distress, unable to reach his family and friends who were not as fortunate to escape. 

A Fractured Diplomatic Landscape

The Congolese government has severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda, citing its unwavering support for M23. While Rwanda denies involvement, the UN, EU, and US have all pointed fingers at Kigali, accusing it of funding, training, and deploying troops in eastern DRC. Reports suggest that Rwanda has up to 4,000 soldiers on the ground, playing a direct role in military operations.

Meanwhile, South Africa has condemned Rwanda’s actions, with President Cyril Ramaphosa calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities. In turn, Rwandan President Paul Kagame has dismissed these accusations, going as far as accusing South Africa of backing militia groups linked to the 1994 genocide. This war of words highlights the deepening regional divisions that make resolving this conflict even more challenging. 

A Battle Over Resources

At its core, this conflict is driven by economic greed. The eastern DRC is one of the world’s richest sources of gold, tin, tungsten, cobalt, diamonds, and coltan—essential materials for modern electronics. UN reports indicate that M23, through its control of mining regions, funnels resources directly to Rwanda, generating an estimated $800,000 per month from illicit trade. With Uganda also vying for influence, the DRC finds itself caught in a web of economic exploitation. 

Where Do We Go From Here?

Despite repeated ceasefires, peace remains elusive. The latest attempt at peace talks collapsed in December 2024, leaving the region in limbo. While Western powers, including the US, UK, and France, have condemned Rwanda’s actions, they have stopped short of imposing sanctions on Kagame’s government—a testament to Rwanda’s strategic alliances and global standing.

The people of the DRC cannot afford another decade of war. The international community must go beyond words and take decisive action. Accountability, diplomatic pressure, and targeted sanctions against those fuelling the war economy must be prioritised. Without intervention, millions will continue to suffer, and the DRC will remain a battlefield for external interests rather than a sovereign nation charting its own future. 

Humanitarian Aid Efforts

The ongoing unrest is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis with the telephone connections no longer available in the region, many humanitarian organisations have are left unable to contact their team in the region, including LIT Base Global, a humanitarian organisation that has been supporting the displaced families in the camps of Kivu.  The organisation is extremely worried for its members over the region, one of the Congolese nationals that LIT Base Global supports had been able to flee to Malawi but is in severe distress as he is unable to reach his family and friends that didn’t have the chance to flee as he did.

The world is watching. The question is: will it act?

Let’s here your opinions in the comment section below. Dr Leticia Moshwe is a Global Peace Ambassador