A prominent Kikuyu gospel musician and philanthropist has recently stirred public reaction after disclosing that his brother’s hefty hospital bill was paid in full through the Social Health Authority (SHA) program. According to the artist, his brother had been hospitalised since February, accumulating a staggering KSh 460,000 in medical expenses. This revelation came during a visit to the Deputy President’s residence, where a group of Mt Kenya artists had gathered for a meeting centered around government collaboration with the entertainment industry.
In his remarks, the musician acknowledged the growing skepticism among Kenyans regarding government programs but insisted that SHA had worked effectively for his family. Sharing his personal experience, he emphasized how difficult it would have been to raise such a significant amount of money without the assistance of the health scheme.
He expressed his gratitude and pointed out that had it not been for SHA, he would have been forced to resort to online fundraisers to settle the medical bill. “Where would I have gotten KSh 460,000? I would have had to open WhatsApp groups to ask for help,” he said. He stressed that his experience is proof that the health initiative is indeed functional, even if many citizens remain unaware or unconvinced.
During the same engagement, the Deputy President acknowledged the importance of engaging artists, recognizing the entertainment sector as a significant contributor to the national economy. He emphasized the need for such interactions to guide the government in formulating policies that support creative professionals.
However, the musician’s testimony about the government’s health support triggered mixed reactions from the public, particularly on social media. Critics questioned the consistency of his message, given his frequent involvement in fundraising campaigns for people in need. Some argued that if the SHA scheme was indeed efficient, the need for public fundraisers should diminish. A few netizens went as far as urging him to stop the practice of collecting funds if the government was truly covering medical expenses.
In response to this skepticism, the musician noted that while the SHA program is functional, the general public still lacks information about how it works. He expressed concern that negative narratives tend to spread faster and more widely than positive news, making it difficult to convince ordinary citizens to trust and register for the initiative.
He lamented the challenge of changing public perception, noting that many people are quick to believe that government-run services are ineffective. “Kenyans love to listen to negativity,” he said, emphasizing that those with firsthand positive experiences often lack the platform or resources to effectively spread the word.
As debate continues to swirl online, the artist’s story has not only highlighted the ongoing struggle to build public trust in new government programs but also reignited a broader conversation about transparency, healthcare access, and the role of public figures in shaping national discourse.
