Murang'a Woman Representative Betty Maina, on Tuesday, November 11, reported that President William Ruto had paid the hospital bill for the wife of the popular mugithi and benga musician Kamande wa Kioi, sparking criticism online.
The lawmaker took to social media to relay that the President had paid Ksh2 million of the bill that remained after the musician's family and the Social Health Authority (SHA) paid over Ksh1.5 million.
The criticism was mainly due to the fact that the SHA had not cleared the entire hospital bill.
"Mama Kioi, wife to Kamande Wakioi was unwell but has recovered at a Private hospital in Nairobi. SHA and the family were able to pay over Ksh1.5 million leaving a balance of Ksh2million," said Maina.
"Special Thanks to H.E the President , Dr William Ruto, I reached out to him yesterday on behalf of the family and today ge gave me Ksh2 million that I have given to the Family. Be blessed H.E,. Good health be your portion Mama Kioi."
SHA on the Spot
However, these sentiments did not sit well with Kenyans online who felt that SHA should have cleared the entire bill.
Netizens also put the MP on the spot for praising the President for the gesture with most of them highlighting that not everyone had the capability of reaching the President to clear their hospital bills whenever SHA fails to clear them.
“How many of us can reach the President? We don’t need politicians’ mercy - we need a working system," a netizen stated.
“It’s only in Kenya where a president’s ‘insurance’ covers you better than the national health cover,” another added.
Another one pointed out the fact that SHA had not even paid half of the bill, seeing as the family had contributed to the Ksh1.5 million paid and there was still a Ksh2 million deficit.
“So SHA couldn’t even pay half? Ruto cleared the rest, yet he once said hospitals demanding payment should be reported to the police. What did he mean then?” another commenter mused.
“Assuming they had no access to you, mheshimiwa, they would have suffered or sold their land to clear the bill. What is the essence of a health insurance that only pays 42 per cent of the total bill?” another added.
Following the uproar under the post, the MP limited comments, blocking any more commenters and hiding the comments already shared.
Since its implementation in October 2024, the authority has not received the welcome the government expected. From patients claiming that the insurance barely covers their bills, to hospitals rejecting SHA and others being involved in multi-billion shilling fraud cases.
