Ruto Stop Misleading Kenyans! KMPDU SG
KMPDU Deputy Secretary General Dennis Miskellah has criticized President William Ruto and other politicians for misleading Kenyans into believing that healthcare is free.
Speaking to a local radio station on Friday, October 24, 2025, Miskellah expressed his disappointment that politicians have been profiting from falsehoods.
The union leader criticized the government’s communication about the Social Health Authority (SHA), calling it both misleading and overly simplistic. He pointed out that the public has been led to think that getting treatment and medication would be completely free, a notion he argued is far from the truth.
“There’s nothing like free healthcare; that’s what many people misunderstand. Politicians, including President Ruto, told citizens, ‘Don’t pay; if you’re asked to pay, report it.’ But in reality, someone has to cover the cost for those services,” the union leader said.
Miskellah accused the government of failing to educate Kenyans on how the three SHA funds operate and what each of them covers.
He noted that most citizens remain unaware of what they are contributing to, creating confusion and mistrust in the new healthcare framework.
“The government has failed to break down the meaning of the three SHA funds to citizens, leaving many confused about what they’re contributing to,” he said.
“We’ve always criticised the funding model used under SHA because, in a country where about 80 per cent of people work in the informal sector or are unemployed, it’s unclear how the government expects everyone to pay.”
The deputy secretary general cautioned that the idea of free healthcare is a mirage that can’t last, and it risks damaging the trust between citizens and their government.
He pointed out that the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has consistently urged the government to take a more open approach to health financing.
Miskellah also called on the Ministry of Health to provide clarity on how SHA funds will be managed and to ensure there’s accountability in how they are used.
Additionally, he urged the government to establish a realistic funding strategy that aligns with the country’s economic situation.
He emphasized that without genuine dialogue and proper public education, the goal of universal health coverage will just be a catchy political phrase instead of a practical system that truly benefits Kenyans.
Ruto Stop Misleading Kenyans! KMPDU SG
