Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago has recommended the removal of medical insurance for parliamentarians and civil servants, compelling them to rely entirely on the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Speaking on Sunday, March 9, Mandago stated that some leaders were downplaying the government's efforts to implement SHA.
In response, he suggested a drastic move to ensure that all government officials experience the same healthcare system as ordinary citizens.
"Because a few leaders want to downplay what the government is doing with SHA, I have thought of a very radical decision. That we remove medical cover for all parliamentarians and civil servants, and we all enroll for SHA," he asserted.
According to Mandago, President William Ruto has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring affordable healthcare for all Kenyans.
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However, he accused privileged individuals of misguiding the public and resisting the transition to SHA.
"That is the language they will understand because the President has committed to have everyone access affordable healthcare. Because those who are privileged are the ones who are misleading the rest of the country. We want to tell them that is not the direction we are willing to take," he added.
Mandago's remarks come amid ongoing debate on the implementation of SHA, which was set up to replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
For instance on Wednesday, February 26, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa raised concerns over the implementation of SHA, urging Ruto to intervene.
He noted that many citizens are struggling to access medical services despite being registered under SHA, citing a lack of funds within the system.
"I'm taking this opportunity to tell President Ruto that Kenyans are crying that this SHA is not working, that there is no money. The system cannot accommodate the millions of Kenyans who are registered with SHA," he stated.
Barasa called on the government to reallocate resources from other sectors to strengthen the health insurance program, emphasizing that urgent action is needed.
"I'm asking you to get money from another sector within the government and put it into SHA so that Kenyans stop suffering when seeking medical services," he added.
