Members of Parliament from both National Assembly and Senate have elected officials to lead the Parliamentary Caucus on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) caucus to champion to help champion sustainable domestic immunization financing.
In a meeting with the Health NGOs Network (HENNET) and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Hon. Kimani Kuria (Molo MP) was elected as the Chairperson, Hon. Irene Mayaka (nominated) and Senator Consolata Wakwabubi (nominated) as Co-Chairs and Hon. Dorice Donya (Kisii County MP) and Hon. Jackson Kosgei (nominated) as the Whips.
The elected leaders will provide strategic direction of the caucus, champion effective legislation, sustainable domestic financing, parliamentary oversight and multi-sectoral collaboration in support of a resilient, integrated maternal, newborn and child health system anchored in strong primary healthcare.
The formation of the Parliamentary Caucus follows the Instanbul Call to Action outcome that brought together Parliamentarians from 10 countries with Kenya represented by Hon. Dr. James Nyikal (Seme) and Hon. Dr. Robert Pukose (Endebess).
With the declining donor support on Immunization financing, Kenya is expected to fully transition from the Global Alliance for Vaccines Immunization (GAVI) support from 2029, creating an urgent need for sufficient domestic resources to maintain vaccine coverage.
Speaking in the meeting, HENNET Executive Director, Dr. Margaret Lubaale underscored the critical role of MPs in the Budget allocations and legislative frameworks, noting that sustainable immunization financing is a matter of national development, economic stability, and social justice.
“Your role is central in this journey. Parliament holds the unique responsibility of ensuring that national priorities are reflected in budget allocations, legislative frameworks, and oversight mechanisms,” Dr. Lubaale said.
Caucus Chairperson, Hon. Kimani Kuria emphasized the need to elevate immunization financing with key Committees of Parliament.
“We need our voices to be heard in the right place. We must engage the Health and Budget & Appropriations Committees to establish how much was allocated during the 2026 Budget Policy Statement, which anchors the FY 2026/27 Budget,” Hon. Kuria said.
He further stressed on the importance of strengthening domestic immunization financing.
“We should not rely on someone in a far country to collect taxes and immunize our children,” he added.
In her acceptance speech, Hon. Irene Mayaka expressed her gratitude to the fellow legislators for electing her as the Co-Chair and called for collective input and support to advance the caucus agenda.
“I want to assure the Legislators that I shall do my level best in pushing conversations with other MPs and even in the Liaison Committee. Let us remember that we do not have much time left in the 13th Parliament and take advantage of the 2026/27 Budget cycle to fix this issue,” Hon. Mayaka said.
Members present include: Hon. Esther Passaris ( Nairobi County), Hon. Fatuma Masito (Kwale County MP), Senator Consolata Wakwabubi (nominated), Hon. Kimani Kuria (Molo MP), Hon. Donya Dorice (Kisii County MP), Hon. Jerusha Momanyi (Nyamira County MP), Senator Beatrice Ogola (nominated), Hon. Irene Mayaka (nominated) and Senator Hezena M. Lemaletian (nominated).
By Anthony Solly
