NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 16 — The National Assembly successfully processed and assented to eighteen Bills during its second session which concluded last week key among the legislative interventions being healthcare reforms, Climate Change and financing of priority projects.
Among the legislation passed, the Finance Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 14 of 2023), approved in June 2023, outlined revenue-raising measures to facilitate the budget estimates for the financial year 2023/2024, the House noted in a summary published on Saturday.
“The eighteen which has since been assented into law by President William Ruto form part of the one hundred and fourteen (114) Bills that are at various stages of consideration,” the House noted.
The Bill anchors the proposed housing levy for the Affordable Housing Fund and also increased the fuel levy to boost the fund ring-fenced for fuel price stabilization.
Additionally, the Appropriation Bill, 2023, and two Supplementary Appropriation Bills passed in June and November respectively, provided essential funding for government initiatives, particularly in response to extreme drought and flooding later in the year.
In a move highlighting the growing importance of Climate Change on the legislative agenda, the National Assembly approved the Climate Change (Amendment) Bill.
The legislation, amending the Climate Change Act of 2016, regulates carbon markets, enhances the mandate of relevant institutions, and aligns Kenya with the commitments of the Paris Agreement.
President William Ruto assented to the amended National Government-Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) Act early December.
The fund’s expanded mandate now includes provisions for climate change mitigation projects, allocating up to 5 percent of funds per constituency for activities such as afforestation, reforestation, grassroots sensitization, and tree seedling production.
The Act also addresses social benefits, including school feeding programs in drought-affected areas.
In a significant development for the healthcare sector, the National Assembly enacted four health sector Bills, two of which originated in the House.
The Digital Health Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 57 of 2023) establishes the Digital Health Agency and outlines a framework for digital health services.
The Social Health Insurance Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 58 of 2023) creates a legislative framework for social health insurance, promoting Universal Health Coverage and repealing the National Health Insurance Fund Act (No. 9 of 1998).
The new Act establishes three funds to support healthcare services.
