Senate Committee to engage Health Cs on Digital Health Regulations

Senate Committee to engage Health Cs on Digital Health Regulations

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

The Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation has scheduled a meeting with Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Mulongo to deliberate on proposed regulations in the Ministry of Health aimed at streamlining digital health systems in the country.

The decision was made during a Committee session held on Tuesday, chaired by Senator Mwenda Gataya (Tharaka Nithi). The session saw the submission of two key draft regulations by Ministry of Health officials led by the Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Mr. Harry Kimtai. The submitted regulations are the Digital Health (Health Information Management Procedures) Regulations, 2025 and the Digital Health (Data Exchange Component) Regulations, 2025.

Members of the Committee commended the Ministry for its strides in developing the regulations but urged for expedited finalization of the process to enhance service delivery in the health sector.

“As a Committee, we have a comprehensive checklist that we intend to follow strictly. It is our mandate to ensure that the regulations align with this framework so that we can progress together as a nation,” stated Chairperson Sen. Mwenda Gataya.

In a separate session, the Committee deliberated on another set of regulations, the Civil Aviation (Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation) Regulations, as contained in Legal Notice No. 5 of 2024. The Members resolved to consult widely with relevant stakeholders before making any final determination on the aviation regulations.

These aviation regulations were drafted and published by the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, under the powers granted by section 82 of the Civil Aviation Act (Cap. 384). The proposed 2025 regulations aim to repeal the existing Civil Aviation (Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation) Regulations, 2018, to align Kenya’s legal framework with amendments made to Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation between 2018 and 2024.

Regulation 3 specifies that the rules will apply to accidents and serious incidents involving manned aircraft or Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) within Kenyan territory or involving aircraft registered in Kenya, whether occurring domestically or abroad.

Part II of the regulations focuses on accident and incident investigations, emphasizing that their sole objective is accident prevention rather than assigning blame or liability.

A significant feature of the proposed regulations is the establishment of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID), an independent body designed to operate separately from the Civil Aviation Authority and other agencies, ensuring impartiality and integrity in investigations.

Additionally, the regulations outline procedures for initiating investigations, evidence preservation, reporting requirements including obligations to notify ICAO and other concerned parties and provisions for offering support to survivors and victims’ families.

Also present at the meeting were Vice Chairperson Sen. Danson Mungatana (Tana River), Sen. Mohamed Faki (Mombasa), Sen. Daniel Maanzo (Makueni), Sen. Julius Murgor (West Pokot) and Sen. Issa Juma (Kwale).