The Mt Kenya Times 
Cabinet Secretary for Health Dr Debras Barasa
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- From today, every Kenyan will be required to register and become a member of SHIF.
- We have established registration desks in all health facilities across the country to register those who have not registered.
- She also unveiled the link for those who opt to register online. Ms Debra also disclosed that more than 12 million Kenyans had so far registered. 400,000 of them registered during the launch.
- It emerged that the process of transferring the details of NHIF members to the new Fund had started earlier. The CS also took this opportunity to allay fears of any disruption during the transition period.
During the campaigns the Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate William Ruto, now the President of the Republic of Kenya, promised to build a legacy that will be remembered by Kenyans for many years to come.
Ever since he assumed office, Dr Ruto has been walking the talk.
The rollout of Social Health Authority (SHA) marks another key milestone in these endeavors.
During the launch of SHA in Kakamega, Cabinet Secretary for Health Dr Debras Barasa congratulated President Ruto for providing leadership that has enabled the dream of the provision and accessibility of quality and affordable health care to all Kenyans become a reality.
The CS announced the exit of National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) which has been replaced by SHA and Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
From today, every Kenyan will be required to register and become a member of SHIF.
We have established registration desks in all health facilities across the country to register those who have not registered.
She also unveiled the link for those who opt to register online.
Ms Debra also disclosed that more than 12 million Kenyans had so far registered. 400,000 of them registered during the launch.
It emerged that the process of transferring the details of NHIF members to the new Fund had started earlier.
The CS also took this opportunity to allay fears of any disruption during the transition period.
We have reactivated our systems and so the bills of Kenyans who were currently hospitalized and undergoing certain medical procedures will continue being cleared.
But the critics of President William Ruto would not see this as a key milestone and this would not come up as a surprise.
They have all along been trying to derail and sabotage the mega projects initiated by President Ruto.
Reason? They were envious of seeing Dr Ruto building his legacy.
Some of them had employed similar tricks during the reigns of President Mwai Kibaki and his successor President Uhuru Kenyatta.
President Ruto have since stood his ground. He would not give them a hearing and that is why he has succeeded in rolling out a number of projects that will transform the life of current generation and the generations to come.
The enactment of SHA and SHIF opens a new a page in our history.
No Kenyan will be denied medical attention.
The government will pay the monthly contributions of the poor and vulnerable members of the Kenyan society.
SHA and SHIF is looking forward to generate Sh148 billion annually.
The fund apart from catering for medical expenses of Kenyans will be used to modernize and equip the hospitals/medical facilities to ensure they were at par with those in developed countries.
The story of raising fund to airlift those suffering from life threatening ailments such as cancer that could not be treated in Kenya to India or Europe will now become a thing of the past.
The cost will now be reduced drastically as Kenyans will access the treatment locally.
The critics wanted Kenyans to believe that they will dig deeper into their pockets to sustain the SHIF fund.
So far, they have not produced tangible evidence to support their claims.
Kenyans have no problem paying the monthly contributions.
The only assurance they want from the government is that they will get the quality service and SHIF will be shielded from being infiltrated by corruption cartels.
The new law to operationalize SHA and SHIF recommends punitive measures.
Whoever found guilty of stealing the fund-money set aside for patients- you will face the full force of law.
President Ruto has been reiterating that there will be no sacred cows.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga Is A Writer And Social Commentator Based In Nairobi
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