Siaya Governor James Orengo has challenged the national government to tell Kenyans the truth behind the push to increase pension and National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) contributions.

Orengo said he government was pushing for the increase the contribution so that it could use the funds to run its programmes.

He was speaking in West Ugenya during the funeral of Violet Atieno Ondiek, a daughter-in-law of former Cabinet Minister Archbishop Stephen Ondiek.

Orengo called on Kenyans to be wary of the government push for the increase.

“Past experience has shown that whenever the government raids provident funds like NSSF and NHIF, it becomes hard for retirees to get their dues,” said Orengo adding that there would be no guarantee for the contributors to get their money.

He told President William Ruto that the holiday was over and it was time to Kenyans what he promised during his campaigns. “You told Kenyans that you will achieve some promises within 100 days of your assumption of office. We cannot wait for a year,” he said.

Speaking at the funeral, former presidential hopeful Jimmy Wanjigi called on the government to make life bearable for Kenyans.