Concerns Raised Over Shutdown Of Kenya Health Information System

Nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana has raised concerns over the Kenya Health Information System (KHIS) shutdown, previously known as the District Health Information System (DHIS).

She now seeks a statement from the Standing Committee on Health regarding its implications on Kenya’s health data management.

“Kenya Health Information System (KHIS) served as the central nationwide health reporting database, playing a crucial role in collecting, analyzing and disseminating health data to inform decision-making in the healthcare sector. The system was hosted by the Health IT department of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which provided both technical and financial support. Its recent shutdown raises significant concerns about the continuity of health data tracking, disease surveillance and healthcare resource planning,” Senator Hamida stated.

Senator Hamida has asked the committee to explain whether the Ministry of Health had an exit strategy or handover plan to ensure uninterrupted management of health data following USAID’s withdrawal.

She also wants clarification on how the government plans to restore or replace KHIS, ensuring long-term sustainability and national ownership of health data systems, including the associated costs.

Additionally, she has raised questions about the impact of the shutdown on healthcare service delivery, disease surveillance, and policy planning, especially in tracking disease outbreaks and managing national health programs.

The committee is also expected to confirm whether any sensitive Kenyan health data has been lost, compromised, or accessed by unauthorized parties due to the system shutdown.

Furthermore, the senator is seeking details on Kenya’s engagement with other development partners in maintaining KHIS and the measures in place to protect national health data sovereignty in the future.

Separately, Senator Hamida has also sought a statement from the Standing Committee on Finance and Budget regarding county governments’ failure to comply with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) directives on budgetary caps for rent expenditures for top officials.

She wants the committee to provide details on counties that have disregarded the SRC directive, including the amount of public funds spent beyond the set limits.

She also seeks information on counties that failed to comply with the March 2, 2019, directive requiring the completion of official residences for governors, deputy governors, and county assembly speakers by June 30, 2022.

The committee, chaired by Mandera Senator Ali Roba, will also examine how funds allocated for the construction of these official residences have been utilized, highlighting cases where projects have stalled or not commenced despite budgetary provisions.

Additionally, the committee will outline policy and legal measures being implemented by the National Treasury, the Controller of Budget, and the Commission on Revenue Allocation to strengthen enforcement of SRC guidelines.

It is also expected to provide details on disciplinary action taken against county officials who have ignored the directives and authorized excessive rent expenditures in violation of the set guidelines.