President Ruto slams opposition for threatening to abolish SHA

President William Ruto has hit out at opposition politicians over their resistance to the Social Health Authority (SHA), saying the new healthcare system has ensured Kenyans from all walks of life can access medical care.

Speaking when he met more than 7,000 Nairobi County Community Health Promoters at State House, President Ruto dismissed his political opponents' plans to abolish SHA and other government programmes should they win the 2027 General Election, saying the move would take Kenya back to the "dark days."

“Wale wanajaribu kushindana na mimi wanasema watafutilia mbali SHA warudishe NHIF. Those people telling us we go back to a system that was not working are a very risky lot for our nation; in fact, they pose an existential threat to our nation,” he said.

While defending SHA, the Head of State said the healthcare reforms have ensured hospitals receive payments on time, drugs are readily available, and health facilities are equipped with diagnostic equipment.

“Watu wanatuambia turudi kwa ile ilikuwa na milioni nane...leo tuko na watu milioni 32 wale wamejisajili kwa SHA. NHIF ilikuwa inalipa Ksh.5.6 billion kwa miezi mitatu leo SHA inalipia bilioni Ksh.12 billion kila mwezi,” he added.