Willis Otieno dismisses SHA as empty promises, says it lags behind Linda Mama
By Kiprono Keileb, September 28, 2025Lawyer Willis Otieno has criticised the government’s new Social Health Authority (SHA), dismissing it as a scheme full of promises but empty on delivery.
His remarks, posted on his official X account on Sunday, September 28, 2025, add heat to the growing debate over healthcare reforms, especially the comparison between President William Ruto’s SHA and former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Linda Mama programme.
Otieno accused the government of failing to show real results despite high-profile publicity around the new scheme.
“SHA is just a new name, big promises, but still struggling with delays, inefficiency, and no clear performance data,” Otieno said.
Linda Mama vs SHA
Otieno argued that Linda Mama, launched during Uhuru’s presidency, was closer to a working model for supporting mothers during childbirth. While not perfect, he said it offered Kenyans something practical.
“Linda Mama was the design that nearly worked,” he noted, contrasting it with SHA, which he described as nothing more than a rebranded slogan.
Uhuru’s defence of Linda Mama earlier in the week reignited the debate. The former president said the initiative gave many women access to free maternity services, especially in rural areas.
On the other hand, President Ruto’s administration insists that SHA will transform access to healthcare by replacing NHIF and widening coverage. Yet many Kenyans continue to question whether it can meet its promises, with complaints about delays, inefficiency, and lack of clarity still widespread.
Performance vs propaganda
Otieno sharpened his criticism by branding SHA as more talk than action.
“SHA is just the slogan. Performance vs propaganda,” he said, underlining his view that the government has focused on public relations while neglecting delivery.
His remarks have stirred public discussion on whether SHA is truly a breakthrough or another grand promise that risks letting down families in need. With maternal health challenges still pressing in many parts of the country, the lawyer’s blunt statement has kept the spotlight firmly on the government’s healthcare commitments.