Speech by Hon. Justin B.N Muturi During NHIF Medical Cover Launch

The Distinguished Honourable Members,

The Invited Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am happy to be with you here today for this important launch. When Kenyans passed a new Constitutional dispensation in August 2010, they envisaged a robust Parliament within the definition of Article 93 of our Constitution. The 11^th Parliament that the distinguished Members of this Association served was the first one under the new dispensation and am glad to note that you did a tremendous job.

I therefore wish to laud you for the selfless service and dedicated leadership that you offered during the 11^th Parliament specifically the numerous bills to give effect to various provisions of the Constitution as was required. That way, you helped ensure critical implementation of the Constitution that will shape the future of generations of our nation. Even though it was seemingly difficult to pass the 2/3 gender law, Parliament did all it could to give effect to that provision of the Constitution as well. We hope that the members in the 12^th Parliament will rise to the occasion and enact legislation to implement that provision. We are also trying to amend the Parliamentary Service Bill to align it to the new law thereby hoping that we shall have dealt with every Act that required being aligned to the new constitution.

Honorable Members,

The electorates need your service, do not turn your backs on them. We have all been to situations where we have lost elections, but still feel the weight of the societal issues on our shoulders. I would encourage you to continue with your selfless service. The country needs you, the people need you.

My understanding is that this is a welfare association. Let me congratulate you for successfully negotiating with the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) for medical cover to the members of your association. You realize that Universal Health Care is one of the major pillars (popularly referred to as the big-four) of the government. This direction you have taken seeks further achievement of the Universal Health Care promise and I urge you to come together to sensitize more Kenyans on how they can collectively bargain with the NHIF to get proper medical cover across the country.

The same way you have worked together to register and launch this association, I request you to work together in a bi-partisan manner to promote national cohesion and preach the gospel of inclusivity and national healing across board. You can imagine the impact of your joint efforts in promoting Universal Health Care using your networks across the country. Today, only 3% of Kenyans are covered by insurance medical cover service providers. With your effort, and the support of the government, this country can reach the level of 25%.

Finally, ladies and gentlemen, I would want you to change the narrative that once one loses a seat, that is the end of the road for them or even the death of their professional career. An election loss, however painful it might be must not leave former members as destitute or now completely incapable of advancing their professional lines. For heaven’s sake, you have gathered skills, experience and irreplaceable expertise in various fields that can be useful to the country and the citizenry. I want you to know that today, if you succeed in this organization you have started, then the negative perception that is held by various quota will change gradually.

With those few remarks, I wish to declare this Association of 11^th Parliament Leaders officially launched. Thank you!