Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Deputy Secretary General Dennis Miskellah has accused President William Ruto and other leaders of deliberately misleading Kenyans into believing that healthcare under the new Social Health Authority (SHA) is free.
Speaking during a local radio interview on Friday, October 24, 2025, Miskellah criticized the government for promoting what he termed a “dangerously simplistic” message about universal healthcare. He said the claim that citizens no longer have to pay for treatment was dishonest and misleading.
“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,” he said.
Miskellah lamented that many Kenyans remain confused about the workings of the three SHA funds, noting that the government has failed to educate the public on how contributions are managed or what benefits they guarantee.
“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 added.
The union official warned that the illusion of free healthcare could undermine public trust and jeopardize the sustainability of the SHA. He cautioned that unless the Ministry of Health provides clarity and transparency in fund management, the system risks collapse—especially as many Kenyans continue seeking care in private facilities.
Miskellah reiterated KMPDU’s call for honest and transparent reforms in health financing. He urged the government to align the SHA model with Kenya’s economic realities, where a large portion of the population works in the informal sector or remains unemployed.
“We’ve always criticised the funding model under SHA because it’s unclear how the government expects everyone to pay,” he concluded.
