President William Ruto has sharply criticised politicians opposed to the new health insurance scheme introduced by the government as part of efforts to implement universal health coverage (UHC).
Ruto who was speaking Monday in Mumias particularly censured Mumias East MP Peter Salasya accusing him of allegedly misleading the residents about the programme.
The Head of State was in Mumias, Kakamega to launch the issuance of bonuses for sugarcane farmers.
Salasya who was present during the event had claimed the Social Health Authority (SHA) is not working as has been widely publicised.
“Bwana rais, your people are not telling you the truth. They are telling you the new SHA model is working but in the real sense it is not. I know you have a heart to help Kenyans but some cartels do not want you to know the truth...they want to use you so that the country does not progress,” he said.
When he rose to speak, Ruto fired back at the legislator accusing him of complaining because he and others were now paying more to the SHA.
“Wengine ambao mnaskia wanalalamika hapa mambo ya SHA ni kwa sababu leo wanalipa zaidi kuliko vile walikuwa wanalipa,” he said.
(The reason they are complaining about SHA is because they are paying more than what they used to pay)
“Sasa badala ya kujitetea kusema mimi sitaki kulipa hii, nataka kulipa ile nilikuwa nalipa, anaanza kusema raia wamekataa. Raia umekutana nao wapi?” he posed.
(Instead of speaking for themselves that they do not want to pay that amount, they start saying the people do not want to, where have you met them?")
Ruto explained that under the new scheme, those earning more are now paying more to cover for the needy and vulnerable Kenyans.
He revealed that he pays up to Sh100, 000 up from Sh1, 000 that he used to part with under NHIF while the MPs who used to pay Sh1, 700 are now paying Sh27, 000.
“Hiyo ndiyo kulalamika kwake na ndiyo tumesema heri sisi tulipe zaidi ndiyo tuwachane na harambee,” he added.
(That is the only reason he is complaining and we have said we should pay more so that we stop fundraisers)
Urging Kenyans to register, the President stated that those unable to pay will be supported by the government.
Regarding the affordable housing project, Ruto also reminded the area MP that the agenda was contained in the Azimio manifesto which he is part of.
