KBC Channel 1

Author: Eric Biegon

  • Ruto will win again, opposition mistaken, says Mudavadi

    Ruto will win again, opposition mistaken, says Mudavadi

    Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has dismissed the opposition’s confidence regarding the 2027 General Election. He says those who believe defeating President William Ruto will be easy are underestimating his electoral strength.

    Speaking in Trans Nzoia County after unveiling a classroom block at Sikhendu Secondary School in Kiminini Constituency, Mudavadi expressed confidence that President Ruto would secure a second term. He emphasised that winning the presidency requires more than mere political rhetoric.

    “Those who think they will beat President Ruto should think twice. Winning the presidency is not easy. President Ruto has done a lot for the country, and his re-election is guaranteed by his popularity,” Mudavadi asserted.

    The Prime CS urged Kenyans to ensure President Ruto achieves a decisive victory in 2027, aiming to end the cycle of presidential election petitions that have followed every General Election since 2013.

    “Kenya had presidential election petitions from 2013 to 2022, but 2027 will be different and unique. We want the victory to stand out,” he declared.

    Regarding regional politics, Mudavadi announced that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) would field candidates for all elective positions across Western Kenya, urging aspiring leaders to join the ruling party and participate in competitive nominations.

    “We encourage many aspirants to join and run on a UDA ticket. We will support those who win the primaries,” he said.

    Mudavadi recalled that internal party competition is not new, noting that President Ruto, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and he all participated in party nominations before the 2007 General Election.

    “When the late Hon. Raila won the nomination, we went ahead to support him strongly. In 2026, we will have free and fair nominations in UDA, and we will support those who win,” he stated.

    The Prime CS also sought to clarify his own political ambitions, insisting that his current focus is securing President Ruto’s re-election rather than pursuing the country’s second-highest office.

    “I don’t want to be number two and be seen to be jostling for the sake of it. My effort is to ensure the President wins. At the right time, I want to be number one,” he explained.

    Mudavadi maintained that the opposition’s confidence was misplaced, describing its political momentum as unsustainable.

    “I told you in 2022 that President Ruto would win. I can tell you without any fear or doubt that the Head of State will win his re-election. One can take it to the bank,” he affirmed.

    He also challenged residents of Trans Nzoia to demand accountability for county expenditure, noting that the county had received approximately Sh40 billion in allocations over the past four years.

    “Trans Nzoia has received an allocation of Ksh40 billion over the last four years. We now want to check what it has been used for,” he said.

  • Mbadi says Ruto’s economic policies will secure Kenya’s future

    Mbadi says Ruto’s economic policies will secure Kenya’s future

    National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has defended the government’s economic reform agenda. The CS says the newly enacted Sovereign Wealth Fund, for instance, would bolster Kenya’s long-term economic stability, despite critics arguing the country should first achieve budget surpluses.

    Speaking after the assent of the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill into law by President William Ruto, Mbadi described the legislation as a significant milestone in establishing a sustainable economy founded on fiscal discipline, fairness, and intergenerational prosperity.

    “Our economic policies are not just about managing the present, they must also focus on building the future. Our delivery guardrails are built around fiscal discipline, sound planning, and broad participation,” Mbadi stated.

    According to Mbadi, the Sovereign Wealth Fund has been modelled on successful international examples to ensure Kenya builds long-term national wealth while safeguarding future generations.

    “Some of the proposals that are in the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill 2025 are informed by lessons that we have learned and best practices from other countries that have experienced significant economic progress by putting in place economic measures that deliver economic stability,” he explained.

    He noted that the Treasury had studied sovereign wealth funds in countries such as Norway, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Botswana, Nigeria, Kuwait, and Qatar before developing Kenya’s framework.

    Mbadi highlighted that the new law incorporates a robust governance structure to ensure the prudent management of public resources. This includes oversight by the Auditor-General, the Controller of Budget, Parliament, and the National Treasury, guaranteeing transparency and accountability in the fund’s management.

    The CS dismissed criticism that Kenya should only establish a sovereign wealth fund after recording budget surpluses, arguing that delaying the initiative would merely postpone the country’s economic transformation.

    “I know we have many naysayers who have kept lecturing us on the need to have a Sovereign Wealth Fund only when we have budget surpluses. Let me tell them, the best time to start was yesterday. The second-best time to start is right now. We must build momentum instead of waiting for a perfect moment that may never come,” he asserted.

    Mbadi added that recent growth in pension savings, following government reforms, demonstrates the benefits of making bold policy decisions rather than waiting for ideal economic conditions.

    The Treasury CS also addressed criticism regarding his strong support for President William Ruto’s administration, despite his past affiliation with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). He dismissed suggestions that he had abandoned his political principles, arguing that the Kenya Kwanza and former Azimio coalition manifestos contained significant similarities on economic reforms.

    “When I make reference to the actualisation of the Kenya Kwanza Manifesto, many people perceive me as a man at odds, and at times refer to me as the biblical Saul. But far from it. Both the Kenya Kwanza and Azimio Coalition Manifestos had many resemblances,” he stated.

    Mbadi said that the late ODM leader, Raila Odinga, appreciated the need for bipartisan cooperation in implementing overdue economic reforms. He added that discussions on establishing institutions such as the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund predated the formation of the broad-based government.

    “I am proud that the late Right Honourable Raila Odinga saw it fit that coming together as a country was critical in the furtherance of much-needed economic reforms which had been overly delayed,” he said.

    He maintained that the Sovereign Wealth Fund is not merely another government institution, but a strategic economic instrument intended to promote fiscal stability, finance development priorities, and safeguard wealth for future generations.

    Mbadi reiterated that the government’s focus remains on implementing reforms that strengthen the economy, improve public finances, and deliver long-term prosperity for Kenyans, insisting that sustainable economic transformation requires decisive leadership rather than political expediency.

    The Treasury CS described the current Parliament as one of the most impactful in Kenya’s economic history, citing the enactment of the Privatisation Act, the Government-Owned Enterprises Act, the National Infrastructure Fund Act, and now the Sovereign Wealth Fund Act as landmark reforms designed to transform the country’s economic governance.

  • Overloading behind Ngong-Suswa road damage – KeRRA

    Overloading behind Ngong-Suswa road damage – KeRRA

    The Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) has attributed the damage witnessed in sections of the Ngong-Suswa Road to persistent overloading by heavy commercial vehicles. As a result, the authority says it has initiated phased maintenance work amid intensified enforcement of axle load limits.

    In a public notice issued on Thursday, following widespread social media posts regarding the state of the road, KeRRA clarified that the road has experienced accelerated pavement damage due to trucks carrying loads far exceeding its design capacity.

    According to KeRRA, the Ngong-Suswa Road was designed to accommodate a maximum axle load of 10 tonnes; however, some vehicles using the route have been transporting loads of up to 50 tonnes, severely shortening the road’s lifespan.

    “The Ngong-Suswa Road is currently undergoing maintenance in phases to address existing pavement distress caused by overloading and to improve safety for our road users,” KeRRA confirmed.

    The authority noted that the road has been in use for the past eight years, with the final section only completed in December 2025. The damage is particularly evident on the section heading towards Suswa.

    To prevent further deterioration, KeRRA has installed the Ngong-Suswa-Ewaso-Kedong Virtual Weighbridge to monitor heavy commercial vehicles and enforces compliance with axle load regulations under the Traffic Act.

    The agency reported that motorists found violating the prescribed load limits have already been arrested and charged, and warned that enforcement will continue to protect the road infrastructure.

    KeRRA added that maintenance works will proceed in phases to improve the road’s condition and accommodate increasing traffic demand.

    “We appeal to all road users to adhere to the stipulated load limits to ensure the safeguarding of this National Road asset,” KeRRA said emphasising that compliance is crucial for safeguarding the national road asset and ensuring safer travel for everyone.

  • Ignore political misinformation, own your home, Hinga tells Kenyans

    Ignore political misinformation, own your home, Hinga tells Kenyans

    The Principal Secretary for Housing and Urban Development, Charles Hinga, has criticised opposition politicians for misrepresenting the government’s Affordable Housing Programme. He urged prospective homeowners to disregard political misinformation and seize the opportunity to acquire homes.

    Speaking at the launch of Phase Two of Kisumu’s Non-Motorised Transport Project, alongside Governor Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o, Hinga asserted that legally purchased affordable housing units are constitutionally protected and cannot be repossessed by a future government.

    He described attempts by political leaders to deter Kenyans from buying these units as misleading, suggesting they were politically motivated at the expense of citizens seeking homeownership.

    “Some leaders are misleading Kenyans not to buy affordable houses, claiming they will be taken away after a change of government. That is false. The Constitution protects every Kenyan’s right to own property, and homeownership is a constitutional right, not a government favour,” Hinga stated.

    The Principal Secretary reiterated that the Affordable Housing Programme is designed to benefit Kenyans across all income brackets. He highlighted that individuals earning less than KSh20,000 are exempt from paying a deposit for identified housing units.

    Hinga also disclosed that he is currently defending over 85 court cases, most of which he attributed to opposition against the government’s housing agenda.

    “I am defending more than 85 court cases, most of them filed by a sitting senator, not because we have stolen money, but because we are building houses for the poor,” he explained.

    He condemned what he termed the double standards of leaders who benefit from taxpayer-funded housing while opposing initiatives aimed at expanding homeownership for low-income Kenyans.

    “A senator, who enjoys a mortgage paid for by the people of Kenya at 3% fixed for 20 years, is misleading Kenyans not to buy affordable houses. Are they children of a lesser God? We need to stop this sense of entitlement,” Hinga remarked.

    The Housing PS argued that opposition to the programme undermines the constitutional right to adequate housing and risks denying many Kenyans the chance to transition from renting to homeownership.

    He further connected the Affordable Housing Programme to the country’s rapid urbanisation, noting that approximately 800,000 young Kenyans enter the job market annually, while a significant proportion of urban residents continue to reside in informal settlements.

    According to Hinga, the government remains committed to expanding access to decent and affordable housing as part of broader efforts to enhance living standards, curb the growth of informal settlements, and ensure more Kenyans realise the dream of homeownership.

  • CPC at 105: Xi says Taiwan reunification remains CPC’s historic mission

    CPC at 105: Xi says Taiwan reunification remains CPC’s historic mission

    Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to achieving national reunification with Taiwan. He also pledged to uphold the “One Country, Two Systems” policy in Hong Kong and Macao, describing both as central to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

    Addressing celebrations marking the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Xi stated that resolving the Taiwan question and achieving complete national reunification remain among the Party’s enduring priorities.

    “Resolving the Taiwan question and achieving the complete reunification of the motherland is the unswerving historical task of our Party and the shared aspiration of all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation,” Xi said.

    He reaffirmed China’s commitment to the One-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, which Beijing considers the political foundation for cross-Strait relations.

    Xi said China would continue promoting cross-Strait exchanges, cooperation, and integrated development, while strengthening ties with people in Taiwan.

    “We must thoroughly implement the Party’s overall approach to resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, uphold the One-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, unite the broad masses of our compatriots in Taiwan, and deepen cross-Strait exchanges, cooperation, and integrated development,” he said.

    He also reiterated Beijing’s opposition to Taiwan independence and foreign involvement in cross-Strait affairs.

    “We must resolutely combat the separatist forces seeking Taiwan independence, oppose interference by external forces, and firmly advance the great cause of national reunification,” Xi said.

    Turning to Hong Kong and Macao, Xi said that maintaining their long-term prosperity and stability remains integral to China’s national rejuvenation strategy.

    “Promoting the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao is an inherent requirement of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” he said.

    Xi pledged that Beijing would continue to fully implement the “One Country, Two Systems” framework, uphold the principles of Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong and Macao people governing Macao with a high degree of autonomy, strengthen law-based governance, promote economic and social development, and support both Special Administrative Regions in better integrating into China’s overall development.

    The remarks formed part of Xi’s keynote address commemorating the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, during which he outlined the Party’s priorities for national development, governance, security, and China’s role on the global stage.

  • Ruku hands payroll report to DCI, vows accountability for public sector fraud

    Ruku hands payroll report to DCI, vows accountability for public sector fraud

    Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has handed over the government’s payroll audit and forensic reports to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), setting in motion investigations into suspected payroll fraud and irregularities estimated at Ksh6.2 billion.

    The handover, according to Ruku, signifies a crucial step in the government’s efforts to cleanse the public sector payroll, eliminate ‘ghost workers’, enhance accountability, and safeguard taxpayers’ money through comprehensive payroll reforms.

    Speaking at Harambee House during the handover, the Public Service CS explained that the audit is part of a broader government initiative to restore integrity in payroll management, ensuring that only legitimate public servants receive salaries.

    “The Government remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening accountability, promoting prudent management of public resources, and enhancing integrity in the administration of public service. A credible and transparent payroll system is fundamental to safeguarding public finances, improving service delivery, and sustaining public confidence in government institutions,” he stated.

    Ruku credited President William Ruto with spearheading the payroll reform programme, noting that the Head of State has consistently monitored its implementation and provided policy direction aimed at eradicating payroll fraud across government.

    According to the Cabinet Secretary, reforms undertaken over the past year include verifying payroll data, enhancing the Human Resource Information System, establishing Payroll Audit Units across ministries, departments, and agencies, and implementing stronger oversight mechanisms designed to improve governance and accountability.

    He confirmed that the Cabinet had approved a whole-of-government response to implement the audit recommendations, including criminal investigations into cases identified during the audit.

    “The Government has resolved to implement a coordinated response to address the findings arising from the audit. This handover marks the commencement of investigative processes on matters requiring criminal investigation,” Mr Ruku said.

    He emphasised that allegations of fraud, abuse of office, and financial impropriety would be investigated independently and in accordance with the law.

    At the same time, he disclosed that the government is introducing structural reforms aimed at preventing future payroll irregularities. Among the measures is the mandatory migration of all ministries, departments, agencies, state corporations, and county governments to the Human Resource Information System within one month.

    “The Ministry has issued a circular directing all ministries, departments, agencies, state corporations, and county governments to onboard onto the Human Resource Information System (HRIS) within one month. Agencies that fail to comply within the deadline will not have salaries remitted until they are onboarded,” Mr Ruku warned.

    He said the HRIS platform is capable of supporting all government institutions, enabling real-time monitoring of payroll transactions, monthly payroll audits, quarterly compliance reports, and stronger accountability for officers responsible for payroll management. The CS described payroll reform as central to prudent public financial management, rather than a routine administrative exercise.

    “The government recognises that payroll reform is not merely an administrative exercise, but a critical pillar in enhancing fiscal discipline, eliminating wastage, protecting taxpayers’ resources, and ensuring that every public servant is remunerated accurately and lawfully,” he said.

    He also called on the Salaries and Remuneration Commission to provide approved salary structures for all government agencies and urged the Public Service Commission to issue approved human resource instruments within one month to support the reforms.

    Receiving the audit reports, DCI Director Mohamed Amin confirmed that investigators will immediately commence evidence-based investigations into the suspected payroll fraud, including irregularities identified during the initial audit.

    “We are in receipt of the human resource audit report, and we will conduct evidence-based investigation into the suspected payroll fraud, including the reported irregularities amounting to KSh6.2 billion identified in the initial audit report,” Mr Amin stated.

    He said detectives would verify personnel numbers used in payroll processing, examine unauthorised alterations to payroll records, investigate irregular payments, assess weak internal controls, and dismantle criminal networks involved in manipulating government payroll systems.

    “Our teams will verify the personal numbers used in the payroll processing. We shall further examine all unauthorised alterations to records, all irregular payments, weak controls, and dismantle any criminal network that is involved in the manipulation of our government’s payroll systems,” the DCI boss affirmed

    Amin said the investigations would be conducted expeditiously in collaboration with the Kenya Revenue Authority, asset recovery agencies, the Financial Reporting Centre, the National Treasury, internal auditors, and the Ministry of Public Service to ensure stolen public funds are recovered.

    “This investigation will be undertaken within the shortest time possible, and we are committed to recovering any public funds lost through these malpractices,” he said.

    He was quick to assure Kenyans that no individual would be shielded from prosecution on account of their office or status.

    “I wish to assure the people of Kenya that anybody found culpable, regardless of their position or status, will be brought to book in accordance with our law, and we shall leave no stone unturned,”Amin said, adding that the DCI would keep the public updated on the progress of the investigations as necessary.

  • KPA unveils Ksh1 billion vessel traffic system to enhance operation efficiency

    KPA unveils Ksh1 billion vessel traffic system to enhance operation efficiency

    The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has commissioned a new Sh1 billion Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMIS) at the Port of Mombasa to improve turnaround time.

    The system is part of a broader wave of strategic marine investments that includes a new search-and-rescue helicopter worth between Sh400 million and three new tugboats valued at approximately Sh1.5 billion to Sh1.6 billion.

    Speaking during the commissioning, KPA CEO Capt. William Ruto said the VTMIS was financed separately from the helicopter and tugboat projects, though all three form part of the Authority’s push to modernise marine operations.

    “These are three different projects. The VTMIS is a different project, but it is all for marine,” Ruto said.

    He explained that the helicopter, expected to be delivered to the port within the next  two months, would cut pilot transfer time between Lamu and Mombasa to about 30 minutes, down from the 30 to 45 minutes currently taken to board vessels by pilot boat, thus improve efficiency for maritime operators.

    He noted that the VTMIS had been deployed across three interconnected sites, the Vessel Traffic Services Control Tower, the Ras Serani Signal Station and the Shimanzi Oil Terminal Radar Site, creating what he described as a single intelligent operational environment for the port.

    “Together, these facilities create a single intelligent operational environment that gives our marine teams unprecedented visibility and control over vessel movements within the Port and its approaches,” Ruto said.

    He explained that the system integrates real-time vessel tracking, advanced radar surveillance, integrated marine communications, meteorological monitoring, oil spill detection capability and digital port management functions, placing Mombasa firmly within a broader wave of digital transformation reshaping global trade, logistics and maritime operations.

    “This places the Port of Mombasa firmly at the centre of the digital transformation that is reshaping global trade, logistics and maritime operations,” he said.

    Ruto said the project was implemented in line with regulations set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), and would further strengthen traffic management, resource allocation and logistics coordination at the port.

    He linked the investment to impressive growth recorded at the port over the last three years, noting continued record-breaking cargo volumes and vessel traffic, a trend he attributed to growing stakeholder confidence in the port’s capacity and efficiency.

    “The number of first callers have been growing at an unprecedented rate, making our port even busier than it usually is. The net effect of this positive outcome is that we have had to implement a raft of measures to ensure that our port remains fluid and efficiency is not compromised,” Ruto said.

    On human capital, Ruto said more than 30 KPA staff had been trained to competently manage the new system, undergoing specialised instruction in vessel traffic services, radar operations, port management information systems, pilotage support and internationally recognised IALA certification programmes.

    “Equally important is the investment we have made in human capital through the skilling of more than thirty KPA staff,” he said, adding that the training had strengthened both the Authority’s technological capability and its institutional capacity to sustain the system.

    Marine Operations Manager Capt. Patrick Onyango, said all core subsystems of the VTMIS, including X-band radar, AIS, marine VHF radio communication, CCTV, hydro-meteorological monitoring, oil spill detection and the Port Management Information System, had been installed, tested and commissioned across all three sites under a contract that ran from December 2024, with all 13 major project milestones successfully met on schedule.

    He said the system went live on May 22, 2026, following factory acceptance tests in Dubai and Italy and a site acceptance test conducted between April 27 and May 22, and is now in a one-year defect notification period that began June 3, 2026.

  • Eight foreign nationals rescued from unlicensed Kajiado rehabilitation centre

    Eight foreign nationals rescued from unlicensed Kajiado rehabilitation centre

    Eight foreign nationals have been rescued from an illegally operated rehabilitation centre in Kajiado County following a multi-agency dawn operation which uncovered an unlicensed facility allegedly holding patients against their will and violating their fundamental rights.

    The operation, spearheaded by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), targeted the Ehsan Rehabilitation Centre. The centre had been operating for six months without the mandatory accreditation required to provide rehabilitation services in Kenya.

    Among those rescued were five United States citizens, two Canadians, and one British national.

    The raid involved officers from NACADA, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), County Public Health, the National Police Service, and officials from the American Embassy in Nairobi.

    Investigators identified serious deficiencies in patient care, including prolonged stays without documented clinical justification, treatment reviews, or discharge plans. Authorities also established that the facility lacked a structured rehabilitation programme, falling significantly below national standards for addiction treatment.

    NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Anthony Omerikwa condemned the alleged unlawful detention of patients, emphasising that rehabilitation must always uphold human dignity and the rule of law.

    “Rehabilitation is a voluntary, therapeutic process founded on respect for human dignity, individual rights, and professional standards of care. The involuntary detention of clients, including foreign nationals, without lawful authority or due process is unacceptable.”

    He added that rehabilitation centres should provide treatment, not confinement.

    “Rehabilitation facilities are places of healing and recovery, not detention centres.”Dr Omerikwa said even as he warned that the Government would take firm action against facilities violating patients’ rights.

    “No person seeking help for substance use disorders should be unlawfully deprived of their liberty. Whether Kenyan or foreign, every client deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion, and in accordance with the law.” he said

    He said any rehabilitation centre found unlawfully detaining clients or operating outside regulatory requirements would face legal and administrative sanctions.

    The multi-agency team has recommended the immediate closure of the Ehsan Rehabilitation Centre. Law enforcement agencies have launched investigations to establish criminal liability against those responsible for operating the facility.

    The latest operation is part of NACADA’s intensified crackdown on rogue rehabilitation centres. The Authority has repeatedly warned that many facilities continue to operate without accreditation, exposing vulnerable patients to unsafe and unlawful treatment practices.

    According to NACADA, the rescue sends a clear message that rehabilitation services in Kenya must comply with professional standards, respect patients’ rights, and operate within the law.

  • Ruto’s reform agenda will transform Kenya, says Oburu

    Ruto’s reform agenda will transform Kenya, says Oburu

    The Orange Democratic Movement leader Oburu Oginga has endorsed President William Ruto’s reform agenda, describing the newly enacted Sovereign Wealth Fund as a transformative initiative. He believes the fund will enable Kenya to finance its own development and reduce reliance on external funding.

    Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during the presidential assent to the Sovereign Wealth Fund legislation, Oburu stated that the new law marks a crucial shift in the country’s development strategy by establishing a mechanism to invest national wealth for the benefit of future generations.

    “The idea of establishing a sovereign wealth fund is a very progressive idea,” he remarked, citing Botswana as an example, highlighting its model of investing proceeds from natural resources through such a fund.

    He noted that, rather than leaving national wealth dormant, Botswana has invested its fund in viable domestic and international projects, an approach that has allowed the country to finance development without depending on external lenders.

    The ODM leader said the country should embrace a similar path by mobilising domestic resources to drive economic growth.

    “We can use the sovereign wealth fund to develop our own country instead of going to foreign capitals to seek assistance. No country is obliged to develop another. Development is our responsibility alone, and partnerships should be built on sovereignty, equality, and mutual respect, not dependence or entitlement,” he said.

    Oburu described the Sovereign Wealth Fund as part of President Ruto’s broader reform package, arguing that his administration has demonstrated the courage to pursue policies whose long-term benefits outweigh short-term political considerations.

    “This idea is very transformative, just like the other ideas we have been trying around with, like the Affordable Housing Programme,” he stated, observing that previous administrations had struggled to implement similar reforms despite recognising their importance.

    He also defended the Government’s health sector reforms, suggesting that criticism of the Social Health Authority (SHA) often overlooks the overarching objective of achieving universal healthcare.

    “I think people who are criticising the Social Health Authority don’t go into details and don’t know exactly what is happening. It’s a very, very big transformation towards what we have been calling universal healthcare,” he explained.

    According to Oburu, successive governments had attempted to establish a comprehensive universal healthcare system but made limited progress compared to the current reforms.

    “Many governments have tried to introduce universal healthcare. There is no other move which is nearer to universal healthcare in this country than SHA. More than 30 million Kenyans have now registered for SHA,” he said.

    Oburu observed that vested interests have historically hindered major development programmes by pressuring governments to abandon reforms that threaten established economic interests.

    “We have tried to move, but private interests around want to benefit at the expense of the country. They always put pressure on government not to move,” he said.

    While clarifying that he was not advocating authoritarianism, Oburu argued that excessive resistance to reform can impede national progress.

    “Sometimes, there is too much democracy; there should be some little, benevolent dictatorship, so that some things can move,” he remarked.

    The ODM leader defended President Ruto’s willingness to pursue difficult policy decisions, stating that history often vindicates leaders who prioritise national interests over immediate political popularity.

    “Being bold and sometimes unpopular is not bad. It’s good. Being popular does not necessarily help the people. Sometimes you introduce things which appear unpopular, but people will soon realise that some of these moves by President Ruto are very, very helpful to our country,” he said.

    Oburu also challenged Kenya to make better use of locally generated policy ideas, noting that many transformative proposals developed by Kenyan experts have remained unimplemented for years. He observed that while other countries have successfully adopted innovative ideas, Kenya has often allowed its own policy proposals to remain dormant.

    “I’m very happy, Your Excellency, that you are now trying to remove some of them from the shelves and push them forward so that our country can develop,” he said.

  • Govt to introduce flexible SHA payment plan

    Govt to introduce flexible SHA payment plan

    President William Ruto has announced that the government will introduce flexible payment options, including the proposed ‘Lipa SHA Pole Pole’ initiative. The move, according to the head of state, is aimed at enabling more Kenyans to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA) and access affordable healthcare under the Universal Health Coverage programme.

    The President stated that the planned payment model particularly seeks to remove financial barriers to registration, ensuring every Kenyan is covered by the national health insurance scheme.

    “To ensure no one is left behind, we agreed on the implementation of flexible payment methods, including initiatives such as ‘Lipa SHA Pole Pole’, in our effort to ensure that all Kenyans register with SHA and make access to healthcare truly universal,” he said.

    In a statement following a comprehensive brief on the implementation of the Universal Health Coverage programme, President Ruto also commended the growing uptake of SHA. He attributed this progress partly to the support of telecommunications companies in registering Kenyans onto the platform.

    “I am pleased to note that 32 million Kenyans are already registered with SHA and are accessing healthcare services paid for by the government,” the President said.

    Ruto added that the government had further resolved to integrate all telecommunications companies into the SHA platform to make healthcare contributions easier and more affordable.

    “We resolved that all telcos will be integrated in the SHA platform and put in place measures that afford citizens a marketplace for alternative funding to bring more Kenyans on board, and at the same time make healthcare contributions seamless and affordable to all,” he said.

    The President said the planned reforms will strengthen Universal Health Coverage by expanding access to healthcare financing, leveraging digital technology, and ensuring that every Kenyan benefits.