President William Ruto has dismissed allegations of corruption in the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA), terming them as unfounded. Speaking in Kilifi County, he addressed concerns over contracts linked to Universal Health Coverage, specifically highlighting a contract between the national and county governments for the procurement of medical equipment. The President firmly stated that the agreements were transparent and voluntary, denying claims that governors were coerced into signing. He labeled accusations to the contrary as falsehoods propagated by individuals with ulterior motives.
Ruto also assured Kenyans of his commitment to maintaining integrity in the new health insurance scheme, vowing to prevent the graft that marred the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) from infiltrating SHA. He emphasized that as long as he is President, the SHA will remain free from corruption. He decried the spread of fake news, urging the public to trust in the government’s efforts to reform the health sector and ensure equitable and transparent access to medical services.
In addition to addressing corruption claims, the President highlighted the government’s ongoing collaboration with county administrations. He revealed that funds had been disbursed to county governments to settle outstanding NHIF payments. Ruto also urged governors to clear debts owed to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to facilitate timely drug procurement and delivery across the nation, underscoring the importance of accountability in advancing universal healthcare.
