On April 18, 2025, a public engagement forum in Ongata Rongai convened to review the draft Kajiado County Public Health Bill, highlighting critical concerns about public participation, transparency, and the bill’s responsiveness to current health challenges. Despite the forum’s importance, low attendance raised questions about inadequate mobilization and outreach strategies. Participants also criticized the lack of access to the draft bill prior to the meeting, which limited informed participation. Several contentious provisions were flagged, including a proposed KES 1,000,000 fine for sewerage offenses—deemed excessive given local economic realities—and the bill’s failure to address pressing health threats such as organ trafficking, an emerging concern tied to criminal activity in health facilities.

The forum identified four key issues: limited and exclusive public participation, lack of early and transparent access to legislative drafts, unrealistically high financial penalties, and failure to address emerging public health threats. To improve both the bill and legislative processes, participants recommended enhancing public engagement through broader outreach, ensuring draft laws are accessible online in advance, revising penalty structures to reflect local socio-economic conditions, and integrating provisions that address modern health challenges. While the County Government’s effort to involve citizens is commendable, the process underscored the need for more inclusive, transparent, and responsive legislative practices to ensure a just and future-ready Public Health Bill.