Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of eroding major achievements made during his tenure. Speaking during the Jubilee Party Special National Delegates Conference (NDC) at Ngong Racecourse, Nairobi, Kenyatta singled out the government’s decision to replace the Linda Mama program with what he termed as “untried and untested” projects.
Launched in 2013, Linda Mama was a free health insurance program that provided comprehensive maternal care for pregnant women and their newborns. It covered antenatal visits, delivery, postnatal care, and immunisations. Kenyatta noted that the program had eased access to healthcare for thousands of families. However, the Ruto government scrapped it in favour of Linda Jamii, a revamped package under the Social Health Authority (SHA), which is still in its rollout phase.
“Today, many of the gains of the past have been eroded. While we wait for these experiments to work, Kenyans suffer and our progress is dragged,” said Kenyatta.
He further cautioned the government against using state machinery to intimidate citizens, emphasising that resources should instead uplift lives. “Ilikiwa ya kulinda wananchi sio kuumiza,” he stressed.
The former president also applauded the courage of young Kenyans during the recent anti–Finance Bill 2024 protests, describing them as a “tribeless generation” capable of transforming the country. He encouraged youth to seize political opportunities and drive change.
On the 2022 elections, Kenyatta criticised the hustler-dynasty narrative, insisting that all Kenyans, regardless of background, have the right to seek leadership positions.
Kenyatta’s remarks come at a time of growing tension between his Jubilee Party and the Kenya Kwanza administration, as public debate intensifies over healthcare reforms and the rising cost of living.
