Ruto says SHA registrations show Kenyans trust health reforms

President William Ruto. [File, Standard] President William Ruto says more than 23.3 million Kenyans have signed up for the Social Health Authority scheme, calling it proof that the universal health plan is gaining trust among the public. Speaking Tuesday at the State House in Nairobi, during a meeting with over 600 African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa leaders, Ruto said the SHA is beginning to fulfil its mandate. "Kenyans have started to see that SHA is paying bills for people around them," said Ruto. SHA records show that 93,251 people registered on Monday, June 9. On the same day, 10,884 means-tested members paid premiums totalling Sh48.9 million, and 2,946 people signed up for the Lipa SHA Pole Pole instalment plan. Ruto said the figures show a shift in how Kenyans manage medical expenses. "In the next year, fundraisers for medical bills will reduce. People will no longer sell property to pay medical bills," he noted. Ruto also said the country's broader economic reforms are starting to yield results. He cited new data from the International Monetary Fund placing Kenya as Africa's sixth-largest economy, up from eighth. "This would not have been possible without bold leadership," he added. Ruto said the inflation rate has fallen from 9.6 per cent in 2022 to 3.8 per cent in 2025, which he linked to changes in agricultural policy. The government scrapped maize consumption subsidies and shifted focus to production support. He said the policy helped increase output, reduce imports, and bring down the cost of food. "The unga that was selling at Sh250 in 2022 is now retailing at between Sh110 and Sh140. This is why people are no longer in the streets with cooking pots on their heads," said Ruto. He said the reforms also boosted output in the sugar, tea, and coffee sectors. Ruto noted that Mumias Sugar Company, which got new leadership in 2024, is now running more efficiently and paying farmers weekly and workers monthly. "Mumias Sugar Company is now paying farmers every seven days and workers every month. In January 2025, the company paid farmers the first-ever bonus in the sugar sector," he noted. Ruto said plans are underway to revive cotton and rice farming to enhance food security, support exports, and create new sources of income. He added that Kenyans are saving more through the revamped national savings scheme, which raised monthly contributions from a flat Sh200 to 6 per cent of salaries. He compared this with higher contributions in Uganda and Tanzania. "Between 2013 and 2023, Kenyans saved Sh320 billion. Since 2023, we have saved Sh280 billion," said Ruto. He also pointed to progress in housing and job creation, saying 250,000 jobs have been created through the affordable housing programme. "Everyone knows the right thing to do, but when it comes to implementation, people fear criticism. I promised Kenyans that I would implement this project. I don't want to be a liar, so I will implement it," said Ruto. He said the government is building Talanta Stadium, a project first proposed over 40 years ago, and supporting the creative economy, Jitume centres, ICT hubs, and labour migration programmes to help more young people find jobs. Due to increased labour migration, Ruto said diaspora remittances rose from $4 billion (Sh516 billion) to $4.9 billion (Sh632 billion). "I remain committed to uniting all Kenyans. Don't fall for propaganda aimed at tarnishing our country's image," noted Ruto.

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