BY SAM ALFAN.
An activist has written to Kenya’s representative to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr Cleopa Mailu over the proposed amendments to the International Health Regulation (IHR).
Joseph Aura has sought in the letter to Dr Mailu the country’s position on the amendments and the draft pandemic treaty under WHO.
Aura, who challenged the three Acts that replaced the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), sought the information under Article 35(1)(a) and (b) of the Constitution.
The activist and wants to know whether Attorney General Justin Muturi was notified of the said proposed amendments to the IHR either by his office or by the Director General.of WHO..
Through lawyer Harisson Kinyanjui, Aura says that on April 4th 2024 he established that the WHO International Health Regulations (IHR) are due for adoption but the amendments were never made known to Kenyans.
He said the proposed amendments have been pending approval, reservations or rejection by Member States since 2022.
“As a Member State, Kenya is represented in the WHO by yourself, and our Client has further established that you are the Chair of the Regional Committee for Africa in regard to the Working Committee for the proposed IHR amendments. With respect, correct us if we have erred in that regard, ” Aura says in the letter.
He says he established that the Regional Committee for Africa was set to deliberate on the proposed amendments in a meeting on August 28th 2023 to 1st September 2023.
“Kindly let us know if Kenyan representatives attended such meetings, and WHAT (if any) contributions were made by such of the Kenyan delegation, as well as the outcome(s) thereof including any, and all Resolutions/Plans of Actions/Conclusions, and/or reservations made thereat in respect of the proposed IHR amendments, ” says Aura on the letter.
He also wants to be supplied with the information on whether Kenyan government was notified in accordance with Article 65(2) of the stated amendments.
He is also requesting to be furnished with the copies of such of the documents in regard to the successive meetings of Regional Committee for Africa regarding the proposed amendments to the IHR if the meeting by the Regional Committee for Africa took place thereafter with the participation of Kenya, and the outcomes thereof in regard to the proposed IHR amendments.
He further wants to be furnished with the information on World Health Organization has come up with a Pandemic Treaty for adoption by Member States during the forthcoming World Health Assembly (WHA) on whether Kenya participated at all stages.
