Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu is seeking clarification on a Ksh172 million payment to the Social Health Authority by Kang’ata Care, a health insurance programme launched by Governor Irungu Kang’ata.
Nyutu raised concerns over the management and accountability of the payment, seeking a breakdown of how the funds have been utilised and how many households have benefited from the initiative.
He urged the Senate Standing Committee on Health to provide detailed clarification on the transaction in the programme meant to support vulnerable households in Murang’a.
While enquiring, Nyutu emphasised the need for transparency in the handling of public resources.
“The people of Murang’a deserve transparency on how these funds are being used. Kang’ata Care was launched to ease the burden of healthcare costs for poor households, but we must ensure that every shilling reaches the intended beneficiaries,” he said.
Introduced in 2023, Kang’ata Care is a partnership between the Murang’a County government and a local insurance provider designed to provide inpatient, outpatient, maternity, and last expense benefits to enrolled families.
In the programme, the county government pays an annual premium per household, intending to make quality healthcare accessible to all residents regardless of their financial background.
Among the key issues raised by Nyutu were the total number of households and individuals currently covered under the programme, the number of last expense claims that were paid through the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), and those that remained outstanding at the time of its dissolution.
Further, the Senator questioned how much the County Government contributes per household, the cost-sharing arrangements for last expense payments between the county government and the now-defunct NHIF, as well as the specific terms of agreement between the county and the local insurance provider.
Senator Nyutu further urged the Committee to confirm whether the scheme is continuous for consecutive years or renewable annually for the insured and whether there exists any age limit for beneficiaries under the Kang’ata Care programme.
“This is not about politics; it is about accountability and service delivery. The residents of Murang’a have placed their trust in this programme, and it is our duty to ensure that trust is not misplaced.”
In December 2024, Murang’a County and SHA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to bring comprehensive health coverage to indigent and vulnerable households in the county.
According to a joint statement by the County and SHA, under this agreement, Murang'a County would sponsor 31,416 indigent and vulnerable households to receive health insurance coverage through SHA.
Beneficiaries were to receive a healthcare package covering inpatient and outpatient services, maternity care and emergency care, Chronic illnesses and critical care through contracted healthcare providers within Murang’a County.
Even so, the legislator reiterated that while Kang’ata Care is a commendable county initiative that could transform healthcare access, proper oversight is vital to prevent misuse of funds and to guarantee that the programme achieves its intended objectives.
