President William Ruto has reaffirmed that Kenya’s new digital healthcare system under the Social Health Authority (SHA) will eliminate the fraud that plagued the now defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Speaking at the funeral of Malava MP Malulu Injendi in Kakamega County, Ruto dismissed negative reports about SHA, attributing them to individuals who previously exploited NHIF loopholes to siphon funds—up to 40% of the fund.
Ruto clarified that SHA operates on a fee-for-service model, countering claims that the government funds the digital system. He emphasized that Kenya will not revert to NHIF, stating that unscrupulous individuals had benefited from a lack of accountability in the past.
“The era of fraud is over. We will only pay for healthcare services rendered, ensuring efficiency and transparency,” Ruto declared.
Encouraging nationwide SHA registration, he noted that in Kakamega County, only 500,000 out of 1.8 million eligible people had enrolled. He urged more Kenyans to sign up, citing the Ksh.9 million hospital bill of the late Injendi, which was covered by Parliament’s insurance—a benefit he wants extended to all citizens.
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On the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Ruto called for the swift appointment of new commissioners to fill vacant electoral positions. Additionally, he pledged to accelerate infrastructure, electricity, and agricultural projects in Kakamega.
Highlighting Western Kenya’s sugar industry, Ruto confirmed ongoing leasing of public sugar firms, ensuring farmers benefit from increased production.
Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi and other leaders defended SHA and the Affordable Housing Programme against misinformation, urging Kenyans to embrace reforms for better services. Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot revealed that Ksh.19 billion has already been used to cover hospital bills under SHA.
