Kenyans Furious at Failing SHA After Ruto Clears Ksh 2M Hospital Bill for Mugithi Musician’s Wife
President William Ruto’s act of generosity has reignited debate about Kenya’s struggling health insurance system after he personally settled a Ksh2 million hospital bill for the wife of popular mugithi musician Kamande wa Kioi.
Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina revealed on Tuesday, November 11, that the President paid the outstanding balance after the musician’s family and the Social Health Authority (SHA) had contributed a combined Ksh1.5 million toward the treatment at a private hospital in Nairobi.
“Mama Kioi, wife to Kamande Wakioi, was unwell but has recovered at a private hospital in Nairobi,” Maina wrote in a social media post. “SHA and the family were able to pay over Ksh1.5 million leaving a balance of Ksh2 million. I reached out to H.E. the President, and he gave me Ksh2 million that I have given to the family.”
However, what was intended as a kind gesture quickly drew criticism online. Many Kenyans highlighted the irony that SHA, the government’s newly launched health insurance program, could not settle the full amount.
“How many of us can reach the President? We don’t need politicians’ mercy — we need a working system,” one user commented. Another added, “It’s only in Kenya where a president’s ‘insurance’ works better than the national health cover.”
Critics also noted that the family had contributed part of the Ksh1.5 million already paid, meaning SHA’s share was even smaller than it appeared. Others recalled Ruto’s earlier statement that hospitals demanding payment from patients under SHA should be reported to police — questioning what that directive meant if such cases persisted.
“Assuming they had no access to you, mheshimiwa, they would have suffered or sold their land to clear the bill. What’s the essence of a health insurance that only pays 42 per cent of the total bill?” another user wrote.
As criticism mounted, Maina restricted comments on her post and hid existing responses.
Since its rollout in October 2024, the Social Health Authority — which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund — has struggled to win public trust. Patients have reported minimal coverage, hospitals have rejected SHA cards, and corruption allegations have dogged the agency.
The controversy surrounding Ruto’s latest gesture has underscored growing frustration over Kenya’s health financing reforms, with many citizens saying that access to healthcare should not depend on political connections.
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Kenyans Furious at Failing SHA After Ruto Clears Ksh 2M Hospital Bill for Mugithi Musician’s Wife