Ruto answers Uhuru over Linda Mama program

Former president and Jubilee party leader Uhuru Kenyatta at the Jubilee National delegation convention on 26th September 2025 [David Gichuru Standard]

President William Ruto has told off his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta over his recent remarks on Linda Mama programme.

Ruto said although Linda Mama was good, it has been replaced with a better Linda Jamii initiative.

"What wrong have we done in replacing a good programme with a better one. Linda Mama was only catering for the mother while Linda Jamii will now cater for the whole family,'' said the President in Kajiado after commissioning the second phase of the Umma University.

Linda Jamii was launched in June under the Social Health Authority and covers the mothers, children, and spouses.

''Linda Jamii covers care in ICU and HDU, for mothers and newborn, while Linda mama only covered for just an ordinary ward. Now, which is the better health care program?" said Ruto.

At the same time, the President defended the government’s electronic procurement system, maintaining that it would remain in place despite growing opposition

He pointed out that the platform was the most effective tool to eliminate corruption.

"We will cut government expenditure by up to 40 per cent once the electronic procurement system is fully implemented," he said.

"There is some resistance by brokers and agents who have profited from the previous system. But we are not turning back on this matter. We must protect the public money." 

On the country's prosperity, President Ruto said he would not relent in his focus to ensure Kenya meets its transformation agenda.

He pointed out that the country has "danced for far too long with mediocrity", saying there was need for Kenya to aim higher.

President Ruto said it was disheartening that countries like South Korea, which were at par with Kenya in terms of development in the early 1960s, are now "ahead of us and are funding us to meet our development needs".

"South Korea and Kenya had the same GDP per capita in 1963. But South Korea's economy is now 20 times larger and the country has lent Kenya KSh80 billion to build the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology at Konza Technopolis University," he said. 

He said the difference between South Korea's advancement and Kenya's is not about resources but leadership. 

"For far too long, we have made peace with mediocrity, the ordinary, the usual and the average when others are doing things differently. That's why we need to ask ourselves what others did right and where we went wrong," he said. 

On education, President Ruto said the government is empowering institutions of higher learning to shape a new generation of skilled, ethical and innovative graduates ready to tackle national pressing challenges.

He said the current global challenges require graduates who are ready to create jobs and leverage technology to solve the various challenges facing the country. 

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said more than 627,000 mothers have benefited under Linda Jamii, adding that Linda Mama owed hospitals Sh5.6 billion by 2022.