The People’s Loyal Opposition has demanded for the abolition of the Social Health Insurance Fund and reinstatement of the now defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF)
The leaders led by Vice President and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka argued that majority of Kenyans have been locked out of SHIF medical services following the abrupt suspension of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Kalonzo highlighted that patients across Kenya are facing a healthcare crisis, with many being turned away from hospitals or forced to pay out-of-pocket costs due to issues with the SHIF rollout.
He voiced concern over the growing distress among patients and families due to an inability to access treatment for manageable health conditions.
“We demand that the government suspend the implementation of SHIF and revert to NHIF,” said Kalonzo while attending a church service at Jesus Teaching Ministry in Savanna estate, Embakasi East constituency on Sunday, November 24th, 2024.
Kalonzo led the People’s Loyal Opposition brigade members in the church including former ruling party Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo, Embakasi South Member of Parliament (MP) Julius Mawathe and ex-Kiambu Governor Ferdinand ‘Bava Yao” Waititu.
“There is a growing sense of sadness as we witness the immense suffering and rising deaths from treatable ailments,” they remarked, adding that Kenyans are disadvantaged by the current system,” he said.
Kalonzo pointed out the lack of a pilot phase before the full implementation SHIF’s affected service delivery, noting, “When introducing a new programme, there’s always what you call the piloting phase. This wasn’t done, and as a result, our people are now suffering from a hasty rollout.”
The Loyal People’s Opposition statement come at a time when there has been public uproar about several policies the Kenya Kwanza Government has passed and proposed.
Apart from the the healthcare scheme, Kalonzo also touched on other issues of Kenya Kwanza’s poor administration including the Adani deals, the delayed reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and offered a message of hope to Kenyans that his government will save them from the suffering perpetuated by President William Ruto’s administration.
“I will fight for your rights and will not watch as Kenyans continue to suffer and languish in poverty. I will not stop to voicing your concerns,” he said.
