The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) maintained that the Linda Mama programme initiated by former President Uhuru Kenyatta had not been scrapped by his successor William Ruto.
In a statement dated Monday, January 2, the national insurer stated that the programme was still ongoing, with millions of expectant mothers benefitting from the coverage.
NHIF assured that all mothers would benefit from the programme in all the selected hospitals across the country.
"We wish to assure the public that the cover is active as mothers continue to benefit massively.
"So far, over 6 million mothers have benefited from the cover since its inception In 2017," read the statement in part.
Additionally, Kenyans were urged to desist from spreading false information on social media even as NHIF explained the importance of the programme launched in 2017.
"The programme ensures mothers do not struggle with paying medical bills during pregnancy and childbirth and encourages them to seek the services of a qualified birth attendant.
"Expectant mothers access a one-year cover that caters for four antenatal visits, normal or caesarean section delivery, three postnatal care visits and vaccines for the child," NHIF stated in part.
Another benefit the programme guaranteed was the coverage of various conditions and complications incurred during pregnancy. Linda Mama also offered inpatient and outpatient services for expectant mothers.
Reports on Ruto halting the programme initiated by Uhuru emerged on social media in December 2022, with a section of Kenyans demanding an alternative.
Some outlined that Uhuru's legacy project helped reduce the rate of child mortality in Kenya.
"This vital initiative has helped countless women and their families, and its discontinuation would be a serious blow to Kenya's progress on reducing maternal mortality," Abdiker Hussein tweeted.
The reports were compounded by the fact that Ruto scrapped Unga, electricity and fuel subsidies and further planned to remove the Higher Educations Loans Board (HELB), with alternative funding mulled.
