President William Ruto has issued a stern warning to hospitals charging Kenyans for outpatient services under the new Social Health Authority (SHA) programme, saying such facilities are “stealing from the people” and will face severe consequences.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Homa Bay State Lodge during a meeting with grassroots women leaders from Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, and Kisumu counties, the President urged citizens to report any such incidents to the police.
“We have Taifa Care, and I want to urge women to register. When you go for treatment in a dispensary, health centre or subcounty hospital for outpatient services, you will be treated and given medicine. Do not pay any money just go home,” Ruto said.
He emphasised that the government has already paid hospitals to provide these services, and charging patients amounts to fraud. “If a hospital asks you for money for outpatient services, report to the police because those are conmen who want to steal from you,” he stated.
President Ruto assured Kenyans that the new SHA scheme, popularly known as Taifa Care, is designed to ensure equitable access to healthcare across the country. The scheme covers outpatient treatment at public dispensaries, health centres, and subcounty hospitals without requiring patients to pay at the point of service.
“The money paid to these hospitals is for service to the people of Kenya,” the President said, warning that any facility found culpable will have to “face” him directly.
The Head of State also encouraged more citizens particularly women to register for the scheme to benefit from its provisions. He noted that so far, over 25 million Kenyans have enrolled for Taifa Care nationwide.
Ruto’s remarks come amid reports that some hospitals have continued to charge patients for services that should be free under the new system. The government has vowed to take action against such facilities to safeguard public funds and ensure the programme’s success.
“The new scheme is for every Kenyan,” Ruto affirmed. “We will not allow anyone to sabotage it by stealing from the people it is meant to serve.”
