This archive report was first published on 5 June 2020.
COVID-19 Bill Rejected by Nyeri Governor ¶
On June 5, 2020, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga declined to assent the County Covid-19 and Highly Infectious Diseases Response Bill, 2020.
The bill aimed to create a committee to contain COVID-19 and other infectious illnesses, but the governor recommended deferral due to concerns over its constitutionality and administrative principles.
According to the governor, the bill failed to consider other legislative measures already in place, including the County Government Act and the Public Health Act.
"The composition of the committee under the bill is non-exhaustive and fails to consider other legislative instruments that allocate power to create committees," the governor noted in a memo to the county assembly.
The proposed committee would have been chaired by the county Health executive and consisted of 10 members, including representatives from various sectors.
However, the governor argued that the provisions of the bill were already incorporated in existing legislation, including the Public Health Act and the Nyeri County Health Services Act.
"I implore the assembly to consider the legislation must be implemented and fit for purpose for the anticipated users. The proposed legislation does not provide clarity and certainty and hence unintended consequences," Mr. Kahiga said.
