President William Ruto has reiterated that his administration will move forward with the Kenya Kwanza pet project despite the court orders opposing cheap housing development.
President Ruto told contractors to continue construction work despite the court's apparent slowdown of the housing initiative during a speech in Bungoma County on Thursday, during which he also commissioned one such project.
"The Constitution of Kenya mandates me to explain if there is a problem if we cannot raise money to do housing. We have a plan on how to raise money for housing; I have no explanation to give. This program must move forward for the benefit of Kenyans across the country," he said.
Wafula Nakhumicha, the Secretary of the Health Cabinet and Head of State, also spoke in favor of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which is expected to take the role of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Did you read this?
"Sasa wewe hutaki mtu mdogo apatiwe bima na serikali, mwingine apungunziwe kutoa Ksh.500 mpaka Ksh.300, hutaki tuwe na hazina maalum na yule ameenda kortini ako na insurance comprehensive, mtoto yake ako na kazi, sasa hawa watu jameni si nipambane na wao," said Ruto.
CS Nakhumicha added: "Mheshimiwa rais nimetembea nikifanya public participation nikawauliza mkienda hospitali mnaandikiwa dawa mnunue nje, nikauliza mko na card ya NHIF lakini unaambiwa lazima ulazwe ndio utumie. Nimeongea na watu wa cancer na sukari wanaambiwa waongeze pesa kwa NHIF, sasa mheshimiwa rais in a week nitapeleka sheria kamati ya delegated authority kuanzia 1st March."
Since the court ruled that the housing levy was unconstitutional and refused to grant the government permission to carry on with the deductions, Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi has written to Speaker Moses Wetangula of the National Assembly, requesting a refund of the money that had already been taken from MPs and other PSC employees.
