'We’re fine-tuning SHA': DP Kindiki assures free outpatient care for Kenyans

Speaking during a consultative meeting with grassroots’ women leaders and opinion shapers from Kirinyaga County at home in Irunduni, Tharaka Nithi County, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the coverage to be offered under the new SHA medical cover will ease the burden of hospital bills for many Kenyans looking for treatment.

“In the current Budget, the government has appropriated Ksh.22 billion to make sure SHA pays all outpatient medical bills in all hospitals in Kenya. If you go to the hospital and you are not admitted, you receive treatment and go home without paying anything,” Prof. Kindiki said.

For a patient to enjoy the services, DP noted, one must be registered lest they will not benefit from the free treatment.

“SHA will not cover you if you are not registered. It is encouraging to see most Kenyans are enthusiastic about it and so far, we have enrolled 25.8 million Kenyans. We hope to have all the 55 million Kenyans enrolled,” he said.

Further, Prof. Kindiki acknowledged the teething challenges facing SHA’s implementation but assured that they are being addressed promptly to improve its efficacy.

“We are fine-tuning SHA. It is a new and expansive system. We are working hard to do away with the teething challenges but be assured that it is the best investment we have ever made,” DP said.

At the same time, the second-in-command said Mt Kenya region will continue to benefit from development, as every other part of the country. He underscored the nation’s economic recovery as the catalyst for the ongoing development initiatives.

 “We are happy the economy has stabilized, enabling us to revive the roads and other socio-economic activities,” DP noted.  

In addition to reviving stalled roads, he promised, the government will also prioritize dualling of Makutano-Mwea-Embu-Chuka-Meru Highway.

“Once we are done with the Rironi-Mau Summit dualling, the next one will be Makutano to Meru,” he added.

The administration is also constructing Modern markets in Kirinyaga County including in Kagio, Mwea, Kutus, Mukinduri, Kagumo, Kibingoti, Kibirigwi towns and others.

Prof. Kindiki warned against attempts by some politicians to resort to violence to manage politics in the region.

“We will not allow violence in our politics. People should compete on ideology. Looting and torching people’s properties is not our custom, we are hardworking people who build not destroy,” he stated.