- William Ruto has dismissed reports alleging a Sh50 billion loss in the Social Health Authority (SHA).
- The President says the figure comes from irregular claims flagged during an audit, not actual lost funds.
- Government insists hospital payments under the health system are continuing normally.
William Ruto has strongly rejected claims that the Kenyan government lost Sh50 billion through the Social Health Authority, describing the reports circulating online and in sections of the media as misleading.
Speaking during a meeting with lawmakers allied to the government, the Head of State criticized the headlines suggesting massive financial losses within the health financing system, urging Kenyans to ignore what he termed as propaganda.
According to the President, such claims create unnecessary panic and distort the real situation within the country’s health sector.
“Forget about the propaganda in the headline of the news that we lost some Sh50 billion. If we lost Sh50 billion, it would mean there is nothing to pay hospitals,” he told the meeting.
Audit Flagged Irregular Claims
The President clarified that the figure mentioned in recent reports originated from an audit that reviewed claims submitted to the Social Health Authority and the Social Health Insurance Fund during the past year.
According to the government, the audit identified irregular or questionable claims filed by some health facilities, which were flagged for verification during the early stages of implementing the new health financing system.
However, the President maintained that these flagged amounts should not be interpreted as money lost.
Instead, he explained that such figures are often part of the routine financial reconciliation process when a new national programme is being rolled out.
Hospitals Still Receiving Payments
Ruto further assured the public that payments to hospitals and healthcare providers across the country are continuing as expected.
The government, he said, has already allocated billions of shillings for primary healthcare services and treatments covered under the new system, ensuring patients continue receiving care.
Health officials have also insisted that the sector remains fully operational, with systems in place to monitor spending and prevent misuse of public funds.
Key Pillar of Universal Health Coverage
The President emphasized that the SHA system remains a critical component of Kenya’s push toward universal healthcare coverage, which aims to make medical services more accessible and affordable for citizens.
Through the new model, the government hopes to reduce the financial burden many families face when seeking treatment.
Authorities say oversight mechanisms and audits will continue to play a key role in ensuring transparency and accountability as the system expands.
The debate around the alleged Sh50 billion loss has nevertheless sparked public discussion, with political leaders and analysts calling for clear communication and transparency in the management of health funds.
