- Ruto’s plans to streamline health insurance hit rock bottom after court injunctions stopped the implementation of the laws anchoring the plan.
- The High Court suspended the implementation of three laws until a case challenging them is heard and determined.
Image: PCS
President William Ruto has said he will deal with those opposing the new Health Plan.
Ruto signed into law four healthcare Bills in October, however, two petitions were filed at the Milimani law courts challenging its implementation.
While speaking on Thursday in Baringo, the President said the new health plan will help curb corruption in the Ministry of Health.
"There are people who have taken us to court claiming that they don't want the new health law but they are not honest because they are used to stealing money from the NHIF," he said.
"Some cartels in health ministry are used to being corrupt and have become rich because of corruption so they have gone to court to stop the health plan claiming that the price has gone up. I will deal with them.
"We are not going to accept blackmail because the characters sponsoring court cases against UHC are the people who are beneficiaries of corruption in NHIF, they have corrupted the heath institution and that is why they have taken their fight to court. We will expose all of them."
Ruto’s plans to streamline health insurance hit rock bottom after court injunctions stopped the implementation of the laws anchoring the plan.
The High Court suspended the implementation of three laws until a case challenging them is heard and determined.
The orders were issued following a case lodged by activist Joseph Enock, arguing that the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023 is unconstitutional.
They include The Social Health Insurance, Primary Health Care Act and the Digital and Digital Health Act – key legal instruments for rolling out the social health insurance scheme.
Ruto said the Act will provide the necessary legal and institutional framework for the successful rollout of Universal Health Coverage.
"These laws will transform healthcare in Kenya; they will save lives, empower communities and make us a stronger and healthier nation," he said.
The President said the Act will complement the Community Health Policy and Primary Health Care and Health Financing Strategies, putting an end to challenges in healthcare service delivery.
Ruto said the Social Health Insurance Act repeals the current National Health Insurance Fund and establishes three new funds.
They are the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund.
He added that the Primary Healthcare Fund will purchase services from health facilities at levels 1 to 3 while the Social Health Insurance Fund will cover services at levels 4 to 6.
He said the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund will handle emergency and chronic illness costs once social health insurance is depleted.