Statement on allegations of child trafficking in government health facilities and informal clinics

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 
𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒.

Rising pursuant to Standing Order 53 (1), Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri has sought a statement from the Standing Committee on Health regarding allegations of child trafficking in government health facilities and informal clinics.

In her statement, the committee should provide a detailed report on ongoing investigations into allegations of child trafficking facilitated by staff in government health facilities, particularly addressing allegations that a social worker attached to Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital has facilitated the sale of multiple children.

The lawmaker also wants the committee to outline the disciplinary and legal actions taken against government employees found complicit in child trafficking cases and state the collaborative measures in place between law enforcement agencies, health authorities, and child protection services to dismantle these illegal operations and provide a status report on the licensing and regulatory oversight of private health facilities, explaining why unlicensed clinics continue to operate unchecked.

The committee should also submit a list of licensed and unlicensed clinics in Kayole and other identified hotspots in informal settlements, outlining any actions being taken to shut down illegal clinics allegedly involved in child trafficking; and indicate the measures being implemented to ensure compliance with health regulations as well as the closure of facilities involved in illegal activities.