Health CS Barasa Summoned to appear before the Senate Health Committee over 2025 Budget Policy Statement

Health CS Barasa Summoned to appear before the Senate Health Committee over 2025 Budget Policy Statement

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Health CS, Deborah Barasa, appeared before the Senate Health Committee on summons, after failing to honor various invitations extended to the Ministry by the Committee to deliberate on the 2025 Health Budget Policy Statement (BPS), amongst other substantive matters concerning, the current status of the Social Health Authority (SHA), progress of outstanding payments and recruitments of Universal Health Care (UHC) medical workers, the various reforms being undertaken at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) and the response to various pending Statements. 

The Health Committee Chaired by Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, commenced the meeting by reiterating the position of the Committee. "The Ministry of Health does not have a very good record before this Committee and we have various issues that are of concern that we expect the Ministry to come and answer and of course we do appreciate that as the Health CS you do take overall responsibility however, we do expect that you are well accompanied by your technical officers to address adequately any operational issues that this Committee may raise". CS Barasa assured the Committee that the Ministry is committed to developing a good working relationship with the Committee. "I want to assure you that the Ministry of Health is now mending bridges and is fully committed to honoring all invitations extended to the Ministry by this Committee".

CS Barasa, was accompanied by PS. Mary Muthoni, PS. Harry Kimtai, CEO KEMSA Dr. Waqo Ejersa, Ag CEO SHA Robert Ingasira amongst other officers. The CS continued to appraise the Committee on matters concerning; the proposed policies, programs and expenditure ceilings of the State Departments under the Ministry of Health purview as contained in the 2025 Budget Policy Statement; the implementation status of the Financial Year 2024/25 budget as at 31st December, 2024 comprising of Cumulative Financial Performance, actual outputs achieved relative to the approved targets (including variances) and the status of Capital Projects. In addition the CS highlighted on the key policies underlying the expenditure ceilings in the 2025 Budget Policy; the indicative performance targets linked to the policies and programs in the Budget Policy Statement; the list of proposed projects and the respective expenditure allocations; the implementation status of the Cabinet Resolution on reforming State Corporations aimed at addressing operation and financial inefficiencies to enhance service delivery and reduce reliance of the Exchequer. 

Members raised various concerns on the BPS where they noted; that the allocation of the same was increasing by 85.6Bn with a ceiling of 204.4Bn and Members requested for further clarity on the details of the allocations; in addition there was a proposal to recruit an additional 20,000 health workers on the BPS and therefore the Committee's concern were the details of the health workers being recruited especially with regards the UHC staff on contract with the expectation that they be part of the staff that will be absorbed as Permanent and Pensionable (PnP); Members further requested for additional breakdowns on the allocations and expenditures on the various programs for purposes of transparency. CS Barasa stated that the Ministry has set Policy Ceilings and indicated that the priorities were based on health care needs of Kenyans that will promote a healthy and productive population. 

CEO KEMSA Dr. Waqo Ejersa, had an opportunity to advise the Committee on the various reforms that the Authority was undertaking which includes but not limited to; the reduction of order Turn around Time to improve efficiency; the upgrade to a modern warehouse; the implementation of a logistics management information system; and the inculcation of a culture change management program.

Robert Ingasira the Ag CEO of SHA, adviced the Committee that their current budget is currently standing at 76 Bn. He further appraised the Committee on the current number of registered citizens being 20.5 million and their target is to register the entire Kenyan population. Mr. Ingasira also stated that the recruitment of SHA staff is ongoing having commenced with the staff from the defunct NHIF. "The current SHA staff complement approved by the Public Service Commission currently stands at 815" the Ag CEO confirmed.

The CS was also urged by Members to rationalize their budgetary process and ensure that their next budget include monies to pay health workers.

Other Members present at the meeting were Vice-Chair Sen. Mariam Omar Sheikh, Sen. Hamida Kibwana, Sen. Stewart Madzayo, Sen. Wafula Wakoli, Sen. Richard Onyonka, Sen. Tabitha Mutinda, Sen. Ledama OleKina, Sen. Joseph Githuku and Sen. Boni Khalwale as a friend to the Committee.