Lawyer Willis Otieno has called for urgent accountability over the siphoning of more than Ksh40 million from the Social Health Authority (SHA) funds meant for Kandiege Sub-County Hospital in Kibiri Ward, Homa Bay County.

According to Otieno, records show that in June, SHA wired Ksh54,370,000 to the hospital’s Special Purpose Account at the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Homa Bay branch. However, only Ksh 14 million is said to have been utilised for patient care, leaving a staggering Ksh40 million unaccounted for.

“The people of Kibiri Ward deserve to know who signed off on siphoning funds meant to save lives,” Otieno said. “We are demanding, with immediate effect, the full bank statements for the hospital’s Special Purpose Account, the SHA disbursement schedules, and all payment vouchers authorising withdrawals from this account.” Otieno took to his X account on Friday, August 15, 2025.

Willis Otieno further warned that any silence or delay in releasing the documents will be interpreted as complicity. Otieno also argued that there is no essence for the public to pay for the Social Health Authority coverage when they cannot access the critical healthcare services.

”If your definition of “working’ is forcing the unemployed to pay for healthcare they can’t access, then even a pickpocket is ‘working’ when he steals your wallet. This isn’t about opposition or government but about common sense. If you think theft is okay because it’s being done efficiently, then congratulations, you’ve just redefined foolishness.” He stated.

Servicing debts

Meanwhile, as the Kandiege Sub-County Hospital serves residents in Kibiri Ward, many of whom rely solely on public healthcare, Otieno also pointed out that the government is set to service huge debts in the education and health sectors, but the right people will not benefit from the process.

”This year alone, Kenya will channel a staggering Ksh2 trillion into debt repayment. That is money that will never see the inside of a classroom, will never pay the salary of a single doctor or nurse, will never buy medicine for our hospitals, and will never put a single meal on the table of a hungry child. It will not build a single road in our villages or create a single job for our youth. Instead, it will be wired out to satisfy creditors, many of whom financed projects riddled with corruption and inflated costs. That is the mortgaging of an entire nation’s future, selling tomorrow to pay for yesterday’s mistakes.” Willis Otieno added.