The news was shared by Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina, who praised the President for his generosity.
According to Maina, Kamande wa Kioi’s wife had been receiving treatment at a private hospital in Nairobi.
The family and the Social Health Authority (SHA) had already paid over Ksh 1.5 million, but a balance of Ksh 2 million remained.
The MP said she reached out to President Ruto, who personally contributed the remaining amount to clear the bill.
“Mama Kioi was unwell but is now recovering. SHA and the family paid over Ksh 1.5 million, leaving a balance of Ksh 2 million. I thank His Excellency the President for giving me the Ksh 2 million to clear the bill,” Maina stated in her post.
However, this announcement quickly sparked debate online. Many Kenyans questioned why the Social Health Authority did not cover the full amount, as it was designed to help families avoid huge medical debts.
Others argued that ordinary citizens without political connections would not get similar help from the President.
“How many Kenyans can call the President to clear their hospital bills?” one person asked.
“We need a working health system, not favors from politicians,” another added.
Critics also questioned the effectiveness of the new Social Health Authority, which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in 2024.
Many patients have complained that SHA does not cover enough of their hospital expenses, and some hospitals have even refused to accept it due to delayed payments.
In response to the growing criticism, Maina limited comments on her post and hid some of the earlier remarks.
The incident has once again brought attention to the country’s struggling healthcare system.
While Kenyans appreciated the President’s kindness, many believe that real change will only come when public health insurance works effectively for everyone, not just a few.
The debate continues, with citizens urging the government to strengthen SHA to ensure fairness and accessibility for all Kenyans in need of medical support.
Tags:
News