Willis questions SHA success claims, demands answers if Ruto uses the cover
By Sharon Atieno, July 26, 2026Lawyer Willis Otieno has questioned claims about the success of the Social Health Authority (SHA), demanding clarity on the healthcare facilities where Kenyans are supposedly receiving comprehensive treatment under the scheme.
In a post on his X account on Sunday, July 26, 2026, Otieno challenged the government to identify the hospitals being referred to when officials highlight SHA’s achievements.
“Where exactly? Which hospitals are you referring to?” Otieno asked.
He said many patients continued to report being informed that SHA only covered limited services or that they were required to pay out of pocket for treatment.
“If hospitals are communicating this to patients, then the public deserves clarity,” he said.
Are hospitals misinforming patients?
Otieno questioned whether the conflicting experiences pointed to misinformation by healthcare facilities or inaccurate claims by government officials.
“So which is it? Are healthcare facilities misinforming patients, or is the Cabinet Secretary presenting an inaccurate picture?” he asked.
He said public healthcare should be assessed based on the quality and accessibility of care received by patients rather than registration figures or official statements.
“Kenyans deserve honest answers, not political slogans,” Otieno said.
Will Ruto, CSs rely exclusively on SHA?
The lawyer also questioned whether senior government officials, including President William Ruto, Cabinet secretaries and their families, rely exclusively on SHA for their healthcare.
“Do senior government officials including the President, the Cabinet Secretary, and their families rely exclusively on SHA for their healthcare, as ordinary Kenyans are expected to?” he asked.
His remarks come as SHA remains at the centre of a growing political debate ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Ruto defends SHA reforms
Speaking at State House on Saturday, July 25, 2026, President William Ruto defended the health scheme, saying efforts to abolish SHA and revive the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) would reverse reforms in the sector.
“Those people telling us to go back to a system that was not working are a very risky lot for our nation,” Ruto said.
The president said SHA had enrolled 32 million Kenyans, compared with about eight million under NHIF, and that monthly payments to hospitals had increased to Ksh12 billion from Ksh5.6 billion every three months under the former scheme.
Opposition leaders, however, have continued to criticise SHA, citing concerns over unpaid bills and access to services.
Otieno’s questions add to the growing debate over whether the success of SHA should be measured by the number of registered members or by the actual experience of Kenyans seeking healthcare.