We'll provide free healthcare to all Kenyans, says Ruto

The government's plans to deliver free healthcare to all Kenyans are on course, according to President William Ruto.

The President said the Cabinet has already approved the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme, as among the steps towards the realisation of this dream, which now awaits endorsement by parliament to guarantee Kenyans the eagerly-awaited free health coverage.

Each Kenyan will now be expected to pay Sh300 as monthly National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) contributions. This will be down from Sh500.

"We have reduced monthly payments to NHIF to make it easy for most people. The government will pay for those who lack the means to pay for themselves. Those who earn more like myself and your MPs will pay more because everybody will pay according to their ability," said Ruto.

The president who spoke while on a tour of the Western region on Tuesday further said: "We are changing the funding system so that the vulnerable can access the NHIF free of charge. Those in the lower cadre will pay less while those who earn more like me pay more."

"The programme will see the healthcare system made accessible to all Kenyans and not a few individuals."

"We want to ensure the health system in Kenya is not a privilege of a few but the right of every Kenyan who requires affordable medical care," said Ruto.

Speaking in Luanda constituency, Vihiga County, where he opened the Luanda sub-county hospital complex, President Ruto said UHC will incorporate the Community Health Promoters (CHPs) with social insurance and a health digital system.

Ruto said the government is committed to preventive healthcare, anchored on community health workers and reforms at NHIF.

"We shall provide medical supplies and equipment to deliver UHC. We want our MPs to approve the UHC so we can have a law that governs the health system in Kenya," said Ruto.

The national and county governments will contribute towards CHPs' pay, with counties giving each a monthly stipend of Sh5,000.

"Vihiga is our model county for the UHC programme. I will give out Sh45 million to Vihiga annually for paying CHPs. Starting next month, I will send equipment worth Sh45 million which will be used by CHPs," said Ruto.

He added: "We want each and every village to have a nurse or a health care worker equipped with basic tools to be able to examine patients before they can be referred to hospital."

"For a long time, the government has failed to address the issue of UHC at the grassroots. I am keen to deliver the programme. We want to equip our CHPs with basic equipment so we can address the issue of ill health and disease at an early stage," he said.

"There have been failed attempts to implement universal healthcare. But this time round, we are determined to achieve it successfully. We are going to focus on preventive care that will make it possible to deal with health issues early at the community level."

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha said starting in October, every CHP will have a smartphone as part of the equipment they will need to ensure they deliver the UHC programme effectively.

The CS said CHPs will be provided with the necessary equipment at the community level.

In the meantime, the president warned opposition leaders that he will not allow violent demonstrations.

"We are being told to open the server to identify who won the elections yet the people of Kenya went to the ballot and voted for their preferred leaders. The elections are over. I will not allow the opposition to lead demos meant to derail the government agenda, instil fear in investors and threaten the growth of our economy in any way," said Ruto.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula urged the Western region to rally behind the president and support his government.

They told the opposition to give the president time to deliver to the people of Kenya.

Also present were Luanda MP Dickson Maungu, Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen, Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba, and Vihiga Women Representative Beatrice Adagala.