Committee Reviews Health Bill Proposing Major Reforms to Patient Safety

By Ahmed Salat | AARAN TV KE 

The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Health has reviewed a key legislative proposal aimed at strengthening healthcare standards and improving patient safety across the country.

Meeting at Bunge Towers in Nairobi, the committee, chaired by Hon. Dr. James Nyikal (Seme), examined a report on the Quality Healthcare and Patient Safety Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 41 of 2025). The proposed law forms part of wider reforms intended to reinforce the government’s push toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

Lawmakers said the bill seeks to address longstanding challenges in the health sector, including systemic failures, weak regulatory oversight, and cases of professional malpractice that have undermined public confidence in healthcare institutions.

During the session, the committee reviewed the draft legislation alongside submissions from various stakeholders in the medical field. Members generally supported the objectives of the bill but proposed several adjustments to its provisions.

One of the most debated clauses concerns penalties for healthcare providers found guilty of medical negligence or serious patient mismanagement. The bill proposes a fine of Sh50 million or a prison term of up to 10 years for offenders.

However, committee members argued that the proposed sanctions were excessively harsh and could unfairly penalize practitioners in cases where failures stem from broader systemic issues within the health system.

Committee Chairperson Dr. James Nyikal noted that the penalty framework required a more balanced approach.

“The proposed penalty is too punitive, yet most of the issues may be systemic in nature rather than purely individual misconduct,” said Nyikal during the deliberations.

As a result, the committee recommended reducing the fine from Sh50 million to Sh10 million, while maintaining strong accountability mechanisms to deter negligence and protect patient safety.

Lawmakers emphasized that the proposed reforms are intended to strengthen oversight, improve service quality, and restore public trust in the healthcare system.

The committee is expected to table its report before the National Assembly for further debate and consideration. If passed, the legislation could mark a significant step in Kenya’s efforts to modernize its healthcare framework and enhance patient protection nationwide.