A section of the Kenya Kwanza MPs from the Central region allied to President William Ruto have taken a different tack on two critical programmes launched last year, calling for their review to alleviate the suffering they have caused to the public.

The lawmakers acknowledged that the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and the higher education funding model are riddled with confusion.

Speaking two days after their mid-term retreat in Naivasha, Nakuru County, the three – Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East), Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika Town) and John Kiarie (Dagoretti South),  who attended a church service in Kahawa West, Nairobi yesterday – urged the government to listen to the concerns Kenyans have raised about the two schemes.

In Naivasha, lawmakers cited a myriad of challenges that are hindering Kenyans from registering for SHIF including poor services, lack of clear communication, inadequate funding, an unclear implementation framework, and citizens’ disenchantment with the healthcare system.

Public complaints

MPs met with Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai and Social Health Authority (SHA) board chairman Abdi Mohamed, who briefed them on how the scheme is being implemented.

Lead by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, they recounted that they had received several complaints from patients about the health insurance cover.

“Your communication is shambolic. MPs are mobilising Kenyans of their own volition because SHA is failing in its role. If members of Parliament can’t explain the benefits, how do you expect villagers to understand,” Ichung’wah told the two officials.

At yesterday’s church service, Kiunjuri defended his counterparts who were dismissed as sycophants for supporting the programmes to please President Ruto in total disregard complaints from the public about the SHA scheme.

“We who are seated here are not sycophants. We are telling the President the truth,” Kiunjuri told congregants yesterday.

Ruto, he said, must ensure that SHIF works comprehensively for both inpatients and outpatients if he expects Kenyans to embrace the programme.

“We all agree that there are issues that are hurting us, unless you don’t live in this country. If you go to the hospital, SHA is covering in-patients but for outpatients, it is not working,” he said.

“The majority of us go for outpatient services. If SHA is not working, it is the responsibility of the government to listen to the people and make sure that outpatient works so that SHA can succeed.”

Telling Kenyans to be patient with an inefficient SHIF was insufficient, he added.

“We give the government time, but we also tell the government that we are also suffering, we can’t give you the long time that you want. We have given you the space you need, but come in quickly so that we can stop suffering,” he said.

Regarding student aid, he said, Ruto erred by introducing a model that the lawmaker said was discriminatory.

“The education funding model is also oppressing and means testing instruments must be re-looked into,” he said.

“We have urged the President that the committee he has appointed must come up with a proper way of placing learners in the right band where they belong.”

Kiunjuri added: “No child should be at home for not being funded simply because he said he lives in a stone house and he sleeps alone in his bedroom. That doesn’t qualify him [as coming] from a rich family.”

Call for tolerance

The MP cautioned leaders about engaging in politics that could plunge the country into violence and to be tolerant of each other.

“Our leaders must know they have a responsibility to ensure that this country stands firm. Whichever politics they are going to play, they are not going to destroy this nation,” he said.

“Do your politics but leave this country united. Whoever is bitter and disgruntled should remember that we have a country and we cannot afford to tear it [apart].”

For her part, Ng’ang’a said Ruto’s government was reviewing the issues raised about SHIF and the higher education funding model.

“While in Naivasha, we discussed SHA, and where the programme had teething problems. I want to promise you that we shall iron them out so that it can benefit you,” she said.