Ruto insists health, education systems are working despite criticism

President William Ruto has insisted that the health and education systems have been streamlined and are working well, amid continued concerns from a section of Kenyans on the status of the two sectors.

His remarks come against the backdrop of Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) saying that the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical scheme cannot survive if the hospitals are not timely and sufficiently paid for the services they provide to the patients.

Similarly, the bishops cited confusion in the education sector in the past few years, noting that it seems decisions have responded more to political expediency than the good of the learners.

They said the rationale, choices and general development of Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) that has now taken the Competency Based Education (CBE) tag have been without clear guidance to the teachers, parents and students, which is a risk to the future of the children going through a system, with no clear end expectation. 

But Ruto yesterday maintained stance that the government has addressed the challenges in the health and education sectors, as part of bringing equity across the country.

Recognising the role that the church has been playing over the years, especially in areas like Marsabit, Ruto stated that the Government has also come of age to take care of its peoples’ needs in all sectors.

“All of us have a testimony of where the church has influenced us and the people we are today.  I can confirm that I am a product of Christian upbringing…  We are grateful to what the church is doing in mentoring people, communities, assisting young people and different contributions that have been made by faith based organizations,” Ruto said.

He made the remarks after attending the 60 years’ celebrations of African Inland Church (AIC) Loglogo in Marsabit, where he pledged to donate Sh100 million to fund ongoing construction works in Ileret area of the county, saying the mission work is now in the hands of Kenyans.

“The government has big plans, churches have helped us but we can confidently say as a nation, we now have come of age to be able to take charge of our education of all our children, the health needs of all our citizens and infrastructure development of our country. We have come of age as a country and we have the capacity, resources, visions and the plan to do it,” Ruto said.

According to Ruto, the Government has put in place adequate plans to ensure all children in the county, just like the rest in other parts of the country, access education.

“We have enough plans to ensure all children c education. We must never again have any child in Kenya without a chance to go to school. The government also gives money to constituencies to construct schools and ensure that there are bursaries,” Ruto told the congregation.

“I have ensured that we build enough classrooms, we have constructed 23,000 classrooms in the last three years and we must keep building so that every child is in a classroom. Again, all children must find teachers in school and that is why we have employed 76,000 teachers and 20,000 more in the next one month,” he added.

On health insurance, he urged the people to continue registering for SHA, saying that Marsabit is still lagging behind in as far as the numbers in the insurance scheme is concerned.

Ruto also told health facilities to register people who are not in SHA whenever they go to seek medical attention.

“For all hospitals - private, faith based or private – as long as you have registered I will be the one to be asked for money, the government will pay, is that clear? Nasumbuka sana na waKenya unawaambia maneno unafikiri wameskia kumbe hawajasikia, ndio unaona narudia (I’m struggling to tell Kenyans about issues and you think they have heard, so I have to keep repeating),” Ruto said.

He insisted that Kenyans should register with SHA, noting that no one should be asked for money and the Government will ensure there is adequate staff, medication and equipment.

“Previously, medical insurance was a preserve of the few but SHA is universal, it is for everyone, employed or not. Nobody wants to be sick, it is by bad luck. We want to make sure every citizen has access to health, it is the responsibility of Government to take care of everyone. All hospitals should ensure they first register those not enrolled to SHA when they visit health facilities, if they have not register them and then they can be treated and the same SHA will pay for them,” he said.

The President said he has agreed with all governors to address challenges in the healthcare system, including medicine and equipment, which he said has since been sorted out.

But last week, KCCB said the lingering inefficiencies of SHA will eventually cost the country, noting that they still await the payment of all pending arrears owed to their hospitals, any other Faith-based hospital, and private hospitals across the country, which are unable to offer basic services due to unpaid or delayed payments.

The President also reiterated that he will not be distracted by dissenting voices, opposed to all Government's programmes.