Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale today held talks with H.E Witjaksono Adji, Ambassador of Indonesia to Kenya, on strengthening collaboration in pharmaceutical manufacturing, health financing and digital health systems as part of Kenya’s ongoing health sector reforms.

The talks reaffirmed the growing Kenya–Indonesia partnership, with a focus on practical areas of cooperation to support Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and strengthen health systems. Hon Duale noted that Indonesia’s experience in health financing, regulatory strengthening and local pharmaceutical production offers relevant lessons for Kenya.

The 2023 State Visit by Joko Widodo remains a key milestone guiding continued cooperation, particularly in health and industrial development.

The Cabinet Secretary outlined Kenya’s priority areas, including innovative health financing, digital health transformation, a fit-for-purpose health workforce, and health commodity security, and pointed to opportunities for collaboration in technology transfer, skills development, and expansion of pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing.

The meeting also underscored the importance of strengthening existing initiatives such as the BioVax–Bio Farma collaboration, alongside deeper technical cooperation and investment.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni and Dr Omar Ahmed, Director of Health Sector Coordination and Intergovernmental Relations.

By Anthony Solly

In response to the escalating humanitarian crises affecting Kenyans at home and abroad, Nandi Senator Samson Cherarkey has asked the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations for two critical statements.

Rising on the floor of the House pursuant to Standing Order 53 (1), the legislator first took aim at the devastating impact of the recent seasonal flooding that has left a trail of destruction across the country.

He noted that while seasonal rains are expected, the current scale of displacement and loss highlights systemic governance failures, particularly in stormwater drainage management and disaster preparedness.

Senator Cherarkey tasked the Security Committee to provide the House with a comprehensive report on the confirmed number of fatalities and injuries, and the estimated value of property lost, since the night of March 6, 2026, which he described as one of the worst floods experienced in the country.

Beyond the immediate statistics, Senator Cherarkey pushed for a clear roadmap on compensation for families who lost loved ones or saw their businesses destroyed.

“What is the current status of the existence and adequacy of a national disaster compensation fund? These circumstances raise urgent questions about the adequacy of relief measures and compensation for affected citizens,” Senator Cherarkey said.

Transitioning from the domestic crisis to the struggles of Kenyans in the diaspora, Senator Cherarkey also moved to address the significant financial and logistical challenges families face when a loved one passes away outside the country.

He observed that many families are currently forced to delay burials, conduct public fundraisers, or even abandon repatriation altogether due to the high costs associated with transporting remains back to Kenya.

To resolve this, the Nandi Senator called on the government to establish a dedicated fund and implement the necessary protocols to ensure financial support for bereaved families unable to meet these costs.

Senator Cherarkey further challenged the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to collaborate with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to ensure that Kenyan migrant workers are adequately covered under insurance schemes or employer-supported repatriation arrangements.

This move, he argued, is essential to reduce the financial burden on families in the event of death and to eliminate the need for government financial support.

By Anthony Solly

By Andrew Kariuki

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has raised concerns over the reported disappearance of former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju, calling on authorities to account for his whereabouts.

In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, Sifuna described the situation as deeply concerning, warning that it raises broader questions about how disputes are handled in the country.

“We must all be gravely concerned about this Tuju situation. You may say it’s a private matter but what you need to understand is that it’s a continuation of the ‘mambo ni matatu’ way of solving private commercial disputes,” he stated.

The senator linked the matter to what he termed a pattern in the handling of high-stakes commercial disputes, referencing past controversies involving business interests and foreign investors.

He further alleged that such incidents could undermine investor confidence and negatively impact the country’s economic environment.

“We have a rogue regime that deploys dark arts to force outcomes in commercial disputes. No investor would put their money into such a country. It’s why the private sector is fleeing Kenya,” Sifuna said.

The ODM Secretary-General also tied the issue to broader concerns about governance, job creation and adherence to constitutional principles, emphasizing the importance of the rule of law.

“It’s why we keep insisting on the values of our constitution. It’s why we sing rule of law. It’s not about shiny things,” he added.

Sifuna called on the state to take responsibility and provide clarity on Tuju’s situation, urging authorities to ensure his safety.

“The state, whose job it is to protect citizens, must now produce Tuju,” he said.

There has been no official statement from government agencies regarding the claims at the time of publication.