Last week, Senator Uasin Gishu Jackson Mandago proposed a radical proposal that is unlikely to be accepted by his colleagues and government officials. During his visit with President William Ruto of Uasin Gishu’s AIC Fellowship-Annex, Mandago suggested that all civil servants, lawmakers and government officials should use the new medical scheme, Sha/Shif, exclusively. His argument was simple. If government officials need to rely on public health services, they will be invested more in identifying and correcting systematic flaws.
Mandago’s proposal is unconventional in Kenya, but reflects policies implemented in other countries such as China. In China, government officials need to seek medical care in public hospitals and send their children to public schools. This policy aims to bridge the gap between privileged elites and the public by ensuring that those in power rely on the same services as the public. In doing so, policymakers are first-hand to experience the challenges within these systems and are motivated to implement the necessary reforms.
As chairman of the Senate Health Committee, Mandago should consider turning his proposal into a formal bill. The goal is to not only improve Kenya’s healthcare system, but also to be directly involved in public services supervised by influential decision-makers. If government officials are required to use public healthcare, they will have a vested interest in addressing issues such as underfunding, inefficiency, and overcrowding.
Today, many government officials in Kenya have bypassed public services and opted for private hospitals instead, or seeking medical care abroad. This disparity is exacerbated by access to private healthcare coverage. This will avoid the challenges faced by ordinary citizens. If Kenya implements a similar policy as China (excluding government officials from private health care schemes), it could lead to significant improvements in public health care, as China has experienced.
Mandago’s proposal is consistent with the broader concept of “common prosperity,” which is central to China’s efforts to reduce inequality. While such policies may seem unfamiliar in Kenya, they emphasize the need for governance that prioritizes equitable access to essential services. If adopted, the proposal could promote a transformative change in Kenya’s public health and education system and ensure that it works for all citizens, not as a last resort for the underprivileged.
Of course, the Chinese model is not without its challenges. Rural and urban disparities continue, and work is still underway to balance the quality of healthcare in different regions. However, the central idea that government officials should use the same services as the general population contributed to concrete improvements in China’s public sector. Experience the same healthcare challenges as the public has forced government officials to drive systematic reform.
Mandago’s proposal also resonates with a broader philosophy. Government officials should not be exempt from the reality that the people they govern as civil servants face. If they truly believe in the policies that leaders implement, they should be willing to submit themselves to the same conditions as the average citizen. However, such policies can face resistance from officials who are used to preferential treatment and access to superior services.
In contrast, countries such as the UK, Canada and the US have established public health and education systems, but government officials don’t need to rely on legally. Instead, they often have access to supplemental private options. This contrasts with China’s approach, where civil servants are required to use state-run services. The lack of such requirements in the West highlights important differences in governance philosophy and public service expectations.
Despite these variations, China’s policy presents a compelling case for addressing systemic inequality. If Kenya adopts a similar model, it could serve as a catalyst for long-term improvements in healthcare and education. However, for such policies to be successful, Kenya’s public services must be first strengthened to provide high quality care and education for all. Without these improvements, requiring government officials to use public services could be merely a symbolic action rather than a meaningful reform.
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The success of Mandago’s proposal ultimately depends on the government’s commitment to improving public service delivery. If implemented properly, it could lead to a more accountable and efficient public sector that benefits all Kenyans. However, enforcing officials to use these services can be in vain, unless the government is willing to invest in the upgrades it needs.
In conclusion, Mandago’s proposal – oversees the controversial policies that have contributed to reducing China’s inequality and strengthening public services. Requiring government officials to use the same health and education system as the general population has allowed Kenya to develop a more accountable and effective public sector. However, this only works if these systems are significantly improved to meet the needs of all citizens. Without this reinforcement, attempts to implement this policy risk being perceived as a political stance rather than a true step towards equity.
The author is a journalist and communication consultant.
