Statement on the shutdown of the Kenya Health Information System (KHIS) and its impact on health data management

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 
𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟐𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana is seeking a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health regarding the shutdown of the Kenya Health information System (KHIS), formerly known as the District Health Information System (DHIS) and its implications on health data management in Kenya.

"Kenya Health Information System (KHIS) served as the central nationwide health reporting database, playing a crucial role in collecting, analyzing and disseminating health data to inform decision-making in the healthcare sector. The system was hosted by the Health IT department of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which provided both technical and financial support. Its recent shutdown raises significant concerns about the continuity of health data tracking, disease surveillance and healthcare resource planning," Senator Hamida stated. 

In the Statement, the Committee is expected to address the issue on whether the Ministry of Health had an exit strategy or a handover process to ensure continuity of health data management following USAID's exit from Kenya.

Senator Hamida wants to know the plans the government has to restore or replace KHIS, including measures to ensure the long-term sustainability and national ownership of health data management systems, along with the associated costs.

The impact of the shutdown on healthcare service delivery, disease surveillance and policy planning, particularly in tracking outbreaks and managing national health programmes and how these critical services will be managed, given the time- sensitive nature of disease surveillance.

The committee is also required to state whether any sensitive Kenyan health data has been lost, compromised or accessed by unauthorized parties following the KHIS shutdown.

Furthermore, the lawmaker wants to be appraised with Kenya's engagement with other partners in the development and maintenance of the KHIS and what measures are in place to safeguard the nation's health data sovereignty in the future. 

Separately, Senator Hamida sought a Statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget regarding the non-compliance by county governments with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) directives on budgetary caps for rent expenditure for top officials.

In the request, the Lawmaker asked the Committee to give information on County governments that have disregarded the SRC's directives on capping rent expenditures for top officials, specifying the amount of public funds spent beyond the established limits besides identifying Counties that have failed to comply with the SRC directive issued in March 2, 2019, which required the completion of official residences for Governors, Deputy Governors and County Assembly Speakers by June 30, 2022.

The Committee is also required to address the question of funds allocated for the construction of the official residences, highlighting counties where such projects have stalled or have not commenced despite budgetary provisions.

In addition, the Committee chaired by Sen. Ali Roba (Mandera) will give Policy and legal measures being implemented by the National Treasury, the Controller of Budget and the Commission on Revenue Allocation to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and ensure compliance with SRC guidelines to prevent further misuse of public funds and 

disciplinary measures taken against county officials who have ignored SRC directives and authorized excessive rent expenditures contrary to established guidelines.