The Provision of Sanitary Towels Bill of 2024 was on Wednesday tabled before the Senate for the first reading.
The bill proposed by nominated senator Gloria Orwoba seeks to have the government provide free sanitary towels in all public institutions and correctional facilities.
This will include; public schools and county government offices and institutions.
Further, the bill proposes that the government create an inter-ministerial committee on the provision of sanitary towels to ensure that the plan is actualised.
The Inter-Ministerial Council will comprise representatives from across different ministries.
The bill proposes that the government shall appropriate funds to the committee through the National Assembly and other funds that may be donated or collected from different sources.
“Monies appropriated by the National Assembly, such monies as may accrue to or vest in the Committee in the course of the exercise of its powers or the performance of its functions under this Act; and all monies from any other source provided for, donated or lent to the Committee," the bill further reads.
The bill also outlines that the committee will be required to meet at least once in three months.
County Governments will also be required to mirror this at the devolved level.
The piece of legislation outlines stringent measures to be taken against any individual who rebrands the government-issued pads for resale.
“A person who rebrands or resales sanitary towels distributed by the Committee or a county interdepartmental committee commits an offence and is liable, on conviction Offences,” the bill reads.
A first-time offence will warrant a fine not exceeding five million shillings or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both.
Meanwhile, for a second or subsequent offence, individuals will be liable to a fine not exceeding ten million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both.
