Mosop MP Kirwa returns to Parliament after long medical absence

Mosop MP Abraham Kirwa on Tuesday returned to the National Assembly, marking his first appearance in Parliament after nearly two years of medical treatment in the United States.

Kirwa received a warm reception from fellow lawmakers, many of whom stood to applaud as he walked into the Chamber.

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss led the MPs in welcoming him before giving him an opportunity to speak.

In his address, Kirwa expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he received throughout his long recovery journey.

“I want to say thank you for welcoming me. I want to thank all the MPs in this House, those who came to the hospital in Nairobi, those who visited me in Dubai and those who travelled to the United States to see me. Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he said.

He told the House that every visit, no matter the distance, had a profound impact on him.

“When you are in this position, and somebody comes to see you, it really means a lot. And it’s not that I wanted to be sick or go down, but somehow I got sick,” he added.

Kirwa reserved special praise for the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, for standing with him throughout the period he was away.

But it was the Clerk of the National Assembly, Samuel Njoroge, he said, who “went above and beyond” to ensure his well-being.

“The Clerk of the National Assembly really made sure I was okay. He came to the hospital here in Nairobi, he visited me in Dubai, and every time there was a member travelling to the United States, he made sure they came to see me. Even when I arrived back home, he ensured everything was working well. I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart,” Kirwa said.

He also paid tribute to his wife for her unwavering support.

“She was there from the beginning to the end. She is still there. And I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you,” he told MPs.

The lawmaker also thanked the people of Mosop for their patience, saying they understood his condition and allowed development work to continue smoothly during his absence.

“I have been gone for 18 months, almost two years, but somehow the projects were going on. Those in the office made sure procedures were followed, and things moved well. The people were patient with me, and I appreciate that,” he said.

He further commended Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah for facilitating his participation in parliamentary business even while he was abroad.

“He made sure I was able to vote online and to be welcomed back in style, and that I was comfortable even when I was sick,” Kirwa said.

Turning to the recent State of the Nation Address, Kirwa declared strong support for President William Ruto’s proposals, praising his focus on infrastructure and healthcare.

“I am so happy that the President was able to give the State of the Nation. He was very straightforward and very ambitious. For every nation to succeed, to move from Third World to First World, we must have roads that connect cities, centres and the rest of the country. I commend him for prioritising dual carriageways across the nation,” he said.

Kirwa also lauded the President’s efforts in health sector reforms, noting that access to quality care was essential, especially for patients facing life-threatening conditions.

“Health care must be done right, and this President is committed to that. Even when I was sick, I realised how important proper healthcare is,” he said.

Kirwa returned to the country last Friday from the US following a major stroke that forced him out of public life for nearly two years.