- Murang’a women’s representative Betty Maina praised President William Ruto for paying the medical bills of a Benga musician after the failure of SHA
- Maina disabled the comments on the post after angry Kenyans shouted him down following his admission that SHA could not cover the bills
- Pauline Njoroge and some Kenyans claimed ‘Ruto’s medical plan’ is better than even SHA
Murang’a women’s representative Betty Maina has thanked the President William Ruto publicly for his donation of KSh 2 million to help the musician’s family with medical bills.
Source: Facebook
The funds were used to pay the medical bills incurred during the hospitalization of the wife of the famous Kikuyu musician Benga Kamande Wa Kioi, Mama Kioi, who was admitted to the Nairobi West Hospital.
How did Betty Maina praise Ruto?
According to the member of parliament UDAthe family, together with the Community Health Authority (SHA), managed to collect KSh 1.5 million but remained short of KSh 2 million.
He revealed that he contacted the president on behalf of the family, and within a day, he responded with the full amount needed to pay the bill.
“Mama Kioi, the wife of Kamande Wa Kioi, was ill but has now recovered at a private hospital in Nairobi West. SHA and the family were able to pay over KSh 1.5 million, leaving a balance of KSh 2 million.
Special thanks to President William Ruto. I contacted him yesterday on behalf of the family, and today he gave me KSh 2 million, which I have handed over to the family. May you be blessed, ME May good health be your portion, Mama Kioi,” he wrote.
Source: Facebook
Did Maina disable the comment section on his post praising Ruto?
However, the celebratory message sparked controversy online. Shortly after postingShaMaina disabled comments on his Facebook page, following an outcry from Kenyans questioning the effectiveness of the SHA.
Critics said the program, which was designed to ease access to health care, failed to help families in their time of need.
Political strategist and strong critic of the president, Pauline Njoroge, said, “President Ruto covers medical expenses better than SHA. Where can we sign up for his plan?”
The statement struck a chord with many online users, some of whom accused the government of dismantling a previously functioning healthcare system and replacing it with one that leaves citizens dependent on private appeals for help.
What did Kenyans say about Ruto’s action?
The event has raised a debate about the performance of the SHA and the major effects of health care reform under the administration of Kenya First.
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“He abolished the functioning NHIF so Kenyans would kneel before him because of medical bills. He reduced Kenyans to beggars so he could play ‘god.'”
Muthoni Kimani
“Or rather, who will call on our behalf when we get sick since we don’t have his number on the emergency phone?”
Kuria Wanjuhi
“Ruto wants to create Kenya for beggars; he wants us to worship him for basic things like a god.”
My name is Paul
“This is a pointless and ridiculous thing from a member of parliament. So contacting the president has now become a part of Taifacare, SHA, SHIF, and ECCF. And the most stupid part of that statement is to admit that the patient has registered and paid for SHA but could not be fully covered.”
Shiro Nene
“We should all register with Ruto’s Friends Health scheme. Why is it happening to families who do not have friends of the Honorable to call the president on their behalf and ‘ask’ for help with health insurance?”
Esther Magu
“Pauline Njoroge: We as Kenyan citizens, since we can’t get SHA, we would also like the president’s plan. What can this mother say to her? I found people stuck at KNH on the bill. And these are not that many at first.”
What will cause SHA to fail?
At the same time, a section of parliamentarians warned about the escalating financial crisis of the SHA, warning that it could lead to a ‘legal time bomb’ that threatens the life of the authority.
The MPs cited the huge debt of KSh 76 billion in unpaid hospital bills as a major concern that could lead to major disruption of services.
MP Anthony Kibagendi criticized the activities of the SHA, saying its systems are now acting as ‘automated law enforcers’, leading to partial payment of patients’ bills.
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