Kenyan MPs Push for Installation of Sauna and Jacuzzi in Parliament

Kenyan MPs are pushing for the installation of saunas and jacuzzis in parliament to help them improve their wellbeing.

In a report, the Committee on Services and Facilities wants a state-of-the-art health and wellness facility normally available at major hotels and spas fixed in parliament.

The MPs want the new facility furnished with clinical and public health sections fully equipped with modern medical diagnostic machines.

The facility, which will be run by a new autonomous body dubbed the Parliamentary Health Services Unit (PHSU), will replace the existing health club MPs say is obsolete.

The Nyaribari Masaba MP Ezekiel Machogu-led committee argues that the new unit is meant to motivate MPs and parliamentary employees to perform well in their duties by maintaining their physical and psychological health. 

“The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) should facilitate the refurbishment and renovation of the current health club in compliance with the protocols and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health on containment of Covid-19 and that the budget that was meant for outsourcing health club services be channeled towards the setting up of the health and wellness unit,” the report reads in part.

Situated within parliament buildings, the ultra-modern health facility will be fitted with steam baths, massage room, and saunas that will have the latest model of steam generating systems in the gents and ladies' washrooms. 

It will also have barber and salon areas, hair washing points in the ladies, and workstations at gents. 

The gents and ladies' washrooms will have manicure, pedicure, and reflexology stations as well as changing areas with rails for purposes of hanging personal clothes and towels.

“PSC should consider putting the staff deployed to the current health club with massage, reflexology on a five-year term contract, renewable once upon satisfactory performance,” adds the report

While justifying the creation of the PHSU, the committee said there is evidence regarding the burden of disease attributable to the environment and non-communicable disease that has led to the poor health of workers, which demands the creation of wellness programs to cater for health risk assessments and screenings.

“Through the wellness program, the aim is to enhance the health of members and staff of Parliament that will ultimately increase productivity as well as provide a healthy and safe work environment that will support employees’ health and well-being,” adds the report.