Maragua MP Mary Waithera, Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and Gatanga MP Edward Muriu having a jig at Sabasaba market in Murang'a.Lands, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has defended Social Health
Authority against continued criticism from a number of Kenyans.
Wahome who was addressing Murang’a residents during an inspection tour of development projects said that though imperfect, Kenyans should stop
spreading propaganda on the new health system in an attempt to make it look
unappealing.
She said the defunct NHIF had its challenges as well, citing long pre-authorization process that took up to three days before allowing
health facilities to provide services to patients.
“Pre-authorization under NHIF was not automatic and there
were also a lot of funds that were unaccounted for. It had its own challenges.
Kenyans should not forget about it and register on SHA.”
Wahome said the issues facing the rollout of SHA are being
addressed and that the government will ensure it works efficiently.
Wahome said that
over 20 million people have already been registered and are receiving health
services through the new system.
“Registration is free. Let people register then hold the government
accountable to make sure it works well,” she added.
In October, the Health ministry released Sh9 billion to the authority
to reduce debts owed to health facilities including Sh1 billion allocated for
Linda Mama programme.
The former Kandara MP who had been
re-elected for third term before being appointed to Cabinet also appealed
to residents of Mt Kenya region to rally behind government policies and projects.
“Where we are, we are at a critical point and the region
should just agree to support the current broad-based government. I’m requesting
Murang’a leaders to work with the government. Time for politics will come.
“You know you helped form this government but we need to
continue standing behind it so that it can actualise its plans,” Wahome said.
She said Kenyans are most interested in service delivery and challenged civil servants to ensure pledges President William Ruto made
to Kenyans are actualised instead of ‘putting all the burden’ on him.
Since last year, the region has been registering disquiet attributed to high taxation and unfavourable business environment, which was worsened by the impeachment of former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua.
