President William Ruto has urged Kenyans to register for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

Ruto said the government is keen on ensuring no one is left behind as the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) gets underway.

In the programme, he said, low-income earners will contribute as low as Sh300 a month, while the government will pay for those who are unable.

He said SHIF will adopt advanced technology to curb wastage and corruption. “We are sealing loopholes to ensure public funds under the programme are used to provide quality healthcare to Kenyans,” he said.

The Head of State explained the new strategy will ensure no Kenyan is driven into poverty because of high medical bills. “We now have a law that establishes the Critical Illness Fund, which will be used to meet the cost of illnesses such as cancer. No Kenyan will have to sell his property to pay medical bills,” Ruto said. He made the remarks during the opening of the Belgut Technical Training Institute and Belgut  Digital Hub in Kericho. The President is on a development tour of the South Rift.

At the same time, the President said the government will take stringent measures against those selling illicit alcohol and drugs.

On public debt, Ruto assured that  the government is dedicated to reducing debt through prudent fiscal management of the economy, adding that local taxes will be used to drive development agenda.

“We must be careful as a nation not to contract debt that has the possibility of putting our country in debt distress,” he said.

President said robust measures have been put in place to curb unemployment, and cited the affordable housing programme, digital hubs and export of labour as examples that have expanded job opportunities for many Kenyans. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua expressed confidence in Ruto’s stewardship of the country towards economic growth.

Governor Eric Mutai, Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen (Roads), Florence Bore (Labour), Eliud Owalo (ICT), Alice Wahome (Lands) and Ezekiel Machogu (Education), MPs and MCAs were present.

                                                -PCS