The National Assembly has agreed with the President’s reservations on the Cancer Prevention and Control (Amendment) Bill, 2022, and the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023 on Thursday, 25th September 2025.

On the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, Members welcomed the President’s recommendations to expand compensation provisions to cover injuries or deaths caused by marine wildlife such as sharks, stingrays, whales, and stonefish. To strengthen the process of verifying and assessing claims, the composition of the County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committees will now include representatives from the Kenya Coast Guard Service, Kenya Fisheries Service, and the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute.

Leaders from coastal constituencies applauded the move. Hon. Ruweida Mohamed (Lamu East) remarked:

“Including Coast Guard and marine experts in these committees is a progressive step that ensures our fishing communities are protected.”

Hon. Zamzam Mohammed (Mombasa County) added:

“For too long, fishermen have been left out. This change ensures that the blue economy is recognised, and communities that depend on the sea are safeguarded.”

On the Cancer Prevention and Control (Amendment) Bill, sponsored by Hon. Rahim Dawood, Members supported the President’s recommendations to delete Clauses 2, 3 and 4. These clauses sought to expand the mandate of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to promote e-health and telemedicine, integrate cancer treatment into primary healthcare, and collaborate with universities and the private sector on oncology training.

The President noted that these proposals were already adequately provided for under the recently enacted Digital Health Act and through existing Executive Orders placing the NCI under the Ministry of Health. Lawmakers agreed that duplication would weaken, rather than strengthen, the legal framework.

Tharaka MP George Murugara, moving the amendments on behalf of the Leader of the Majority Party, explained:

“The provisions are already covered under existing law. The National Cancer Institute already operates under the Ministry of Health and is empowered to collaborate on oncology training. This Bill’s proposals, though well intentioned, were therefore unnecessary.”