Editor's Review

He said Atwoli acted stupidly by going to court to protest a move that would have ensured equity among workers in the payment of NHIF cover.

Deputy President William Ruto has for the first in many months publicly launched an onslaught against the Cotu boss Francis Atwoli.

Speaking to Kenyans in diaspora in the United Kingdom on Sunday evening, the DP fired salvos at Atwoli accusing him of misplacing priorities in the running of a labour union.

{DP William Ruto with Kenyans in diaspora during his visit to the United Kingdom. Image: Courtesy}

While talking about the NHIF coverage, Ruto brought to the fore the moment when the Government was keen on ensuring Universal Health Coverage for all.

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He said Atwoli acted stupidly by going to court to protest a move that would have ensured equity among workers in the payment of NHIF cover.

"When we came into office, we had 3.8 million people contributing to NHIF. Each was contributing Sh320. We decided to adjust so that people who earn more can pay Sh5000. We changed the regulation but we were taken to court by a stupid man called Atwoli," he said.

Ruto added; "I have no regret to say he is a stupid man because he is a very foolish person. Because he is supposed to be representing the lower people. What business does he have defending the deputy president not to pay Sh5000? And those are people roaming the corridors of power giving us lectures. What Kind of lectures are you giving us?"

In February 2022, NHIF published fresh regulations that would see workers earning more than Sh100,000 pay 1.7 per cent of their gross salary to the fund.

Workers earning more than Sh100, 000 per month would pay more in monthly contributions to the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). 

This is a shift from the present model where employees earning over Sh100,000 pay a fixed monthly contribution of Sh1,700 to the NHIF.

The regulations were published for public review ahead of implementation and are part of the new law that made it compulsory for all adult Kenyans to contribute to the NHIF.

The mandatory NHIF membership is an upgrade of the previous scheme where only workers in the formal sector are compelled to join.

The DP and Atwoli have been at crossroads ever since the Cotu boss declared that the former will never win the presidency.

Atwoli has been an ardent critic of the DP accusing him of corruption and competency even as he insists to date that the DP isn't fit to be president.