State pledges free medical cover for Kenya's elderly from age 55 and above

DP Ruto with KNUT chairman Mudzo Nzili in Kwale County yesterday. The DP said all Kenyans aged 55 and above will be put on free medical insurance cover. (PHOTO: REBECCA NDUKU/ DPPS)

All Kenyans aged 55 and above will be put on free medical insurance cover, Deputy President William Ruto said yesterday.

The DP also said all babies delivered in hospitals will enjoy free medical cover for one year in a move aimed at  reducing post-natal deaths in the first phase of a programme by the government to offer free medical services for all.

Ruto, however, did not specify when the medical schemes will be rolled out, but said the Jubilee administration was keen to take care of elderly citizens.

Speaking at Tiwi in Matuga Constituency yesterday, he also announced that in the next one month, 50,000 title deeds will be issued in Kwale County.

He said the Jubilee government will not neglect the Coast region, even though the area voted overwhelmingly for the Opposition in the 2013 General Election.

Ruto, who was accompanied by about 20 political leaders from the Coast, including Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya, urged Coast residents to join Jubilee. 

On Thursday Ruto toured Kilifi County where he addressed residents in Mavueni and Mtwapa towns and lashed out at the Opposition for propagating tribalism.

He said the Jubilee government was committed to unifying all Kenyans and promoting development. 

“That man of of vitendawili has nothing to offer you people in terms of development. I urge you to abandon CORD and join Jubilee,” said Ruto.

Yesterday, the DP launched projects in Tiwi and Msambeni, among them schools, in the second day of his Coast tour.

He said many projects have been launched in the region, besides the appointment of local people to State corporations. 

“Although you did not vote for us, we will support you because you are Kenyans,” Ruto said.

He said 12 chairmen of State corporations have been appointed from the Coast.

“Therefore, we request you to return the favour and let us all join Jubilee,” Ruto said, adding that locals had been convinced to believe that Jubilee could not resolve the problem of landlessness at the Coast.

“We are your friends and brothers and we want to work with you,” he said. The DP noted that 10,000 title deeds have been issued to Kwale residents in recent years, and from next year, the government will connect 254 families in Tiwi to electricity in a project that will cost the government Sh9 million.

Ruto said the national government would spend another Sh19 million to install street lights in Tiwi town and connect the remaining 31 schools in Kwale to the national electricity grid.

He said the practice of female genital mutilation should cease and girls be allowed to get an education. 

Present were Mvurya, his deputy Fatuma Achani, Mining Cabinet Secretary Dan Kazungu and MPs Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi North), Mustafa Idd (Kilifi South), Khatib Mwashetan (Lunga Lunga) and Kwale Woman Representative Zainab Chidzuga.

Mvurya urged the national government to work closely with the county on development projects.

“Devolved and national governments should co-operate  and we request the President to support counties,” he said.

The governor said 99-year leases  should not be renewed when they expire

Mr Mung’aro urged Coast residents to back the Jubilee government in appreciation for its support  of  local people.

“Coast people should appreciate the government and join Jubilee because it has appointed our people to top government positions,” he said.