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Lawmakers want the Ministry of Health to suspend the registrations of Kenyans into the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) until it comes clean on how it procured the ICT system used to enlist members.

 National Assembly members drawn from the Health Committee regretted that the system was procured without proper procedures being followed, thus endangering the lives of Kenyans as the safety of the personal data already collected is not guaranteed.

 They argue that while registration of Kenyans started early last month, the process is shrouded in secrecy and in total violation of the Data Protection Act.

 The system, the committee heard was procured through single sourcing under the guise of “special procurement” and the contract awarded to an anonymous IT firm, at an undisclosed cost.

 Revelations by the legislators emerged during a meeting involving the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Health, the Social Health Authority (SHA) Board, and the outgoing National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) Board.

 Debate on the matter started after Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi expressed concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the system employed by SHA to enrol Kenyans in the new health scheme.

 “The system used by SHA to register Kenyans to the new health scheme is shrouded in ambiguity, we don’t know the name of the IT firm being used, the associated costs, and the extent of data already amassed. At face value, this appears to be a breeding ground for corruption,” Kibagendi remarked.

 His sentiments were immediately followed by comments from Committee chairperson and Endebess MP Robert Pukose who took to task Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr Harry Kimtai following his explanation that the new system although has been shared with SHA , was still being tested whether it meets the required standards.

 Pukose accused the PS of attempting to cover up the situation, asserting that it would be untrue to claim that no contract had been awarded while the vendor was already piloting and registering clients.

 He emphasised the importance of the Data Protection Act, which ensures the protection of data belonging to Kenyans.

Properly procured

 “Now you have somebody whom you don’t have a contract with. What assurance do we have that the information they are collecting from clients is safe and secure?” Pukose questioned.

 He added: “I believe you are taking us in circles on this matter. I don’t think we can proceed with discussing the ICT system. We need a special session to revisit this issue because we must ensure that every piece of information entering this system is properly procured with appropriate terms. Allowing an unknown system to enter our public institutions and start collecting information is a risk we cannot afford to take,” Pukose warned.

 Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge Maina, questioned whether the Social Health Authority had sought the opinion or approval of the Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) before opting for a special procurement.

 “Have you sought the opinion or approval of the Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) in this method, because that is the competent body in this country, by law, on matters of procurement?” Mathenge posed.

Unforeseen expenses

He also questioned whether the law allows the ministry, or SHA, to inherit NHIF’s budget, to incur such unforeseen expenses.

 “Where is the money coming from? Have you invoked Section 225 of the Constitution that allows expenditure for unforeseen circumstances? And then, let us realise the position under which this procurement is being undertaken,” he asserted.

 But in his response, Kimtai defended the ministry’s actions, stating that they had followed all procedures outlined in the Data Protection Act.

 He however declined to disclose details of the contracts saying it will be premature to reveal the name of the vendor and the contract sum.