Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has warned Kenyans against inviting her to fundraisers unless they have registered for the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Speaking while addressing Embu residents on Friday, Nyamu warned the residents against opposing government projects like SHA, and if they continued opposing such projects, then they should not be inviting her to contribute money for their projects.
Nyamu was attending a requiem mass in Embu County when she took the microphone and tried to sweet-talk the mourners into registering for SHA.
While she was trying to sell the SHA agenda to the mourners, they strongly opposed it and told her that they did not agree with SHA and its policies. That is when she warned them not to invite her again to future fundraisers if they didn't register.
"I have heard that you people from Embu are really opposing government projects, especially SHA. I want to tell you that SHA is a very good program, it will take care of you when you are sick. That is why you should all register," Nyamu told the visibly opposed mourners, who openly told her "hatuitaki," which translates to we don't want it.
"Then, if you don't agree, don't invite me here for fundraisers again," the Senator warned.
The warning by the Senator was coldly received by the mourners, who murmured and heckled against her and then proceeded to refuse to clap for her.
The SHA medical scheme, which replaced the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), has been faced with a lot of controversy from Kenyans.
Since its inception in October 2024, Kenyans have numerously complained of SHA stalling and not delivering its mandate of delivering healthcare to Kenyans.
SHA has been faced with challenges of debts, inadequate funds, stalled systems, and the inability to cater for some diseases despite Kenyans paying a higher amount for it than they paid for the NHIF.
As per the Ministry of Health, as of February 19.4 million Kenyans have registered for SHA. The Ministry, however, warned that the program might run into a funding crisis.
Speaking at a weekly briefing outside Afya House on Wednesday, February 12, Health CS Deborah Barasa and Director General of Health Dr Patrick Amoth highlighted the financial troubles at SHA, alleging that out of 19.4, only 3.3 million are contributing to the scheme.
