This archive report was first published on 5 October 2021.
On October 5, 2021, activist Okiyah Omtatah filed a petition in the high court challenging a two-year medical insurance cover for Members of Parliament.
The cover, which was set to take effect from January 1, 2022, would have benefited 418 MPs, two commissioners, and their dependants.
However, Omtatah argued that the current MPs would only be in office for seven months and nine days, until the next general elections on August 9, 2022.
He claimed that it was unreasonable to procure a two-year medical insurance cover for MPs and their spouses and children, who would only enjoy it for seven months.
Omtatah further alleged that the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) was acting selfishly and with improper motives, seeking to benefit personally from the multimillion-shilling contract before they leave office.
He accused the PSC of violating several articles of the Constitution, including Article 227(1), which requires public entities to contract in a competitive and cost-effective manner, and Article 201(d), which states that public money should be used in a prudent and responsible way.
Justice A. Anthony Mrima fixed the matter for directions on October 19, 2021, and directed Omtatah to serve the Parliamentary Service Commission within seven days.
