‘My Position Is The Same!’ – Gachagua Blasts Gov’t For Hasty SHA Implementation
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticized the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA).
In an interview with a local TV station, the former Member of Parliament stated that the programme was rushed and that there was no compelling justification for the move from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHA.
“Then, as it is today, my position is the same. One, it was hurried, and there was no sufficient reason to move hastily from NHIF to the new programme.
“And from my own reasoning, when I even look at the mathematics surrounding that programme is that it would have cost us between Ksh700 million and Ksh800 million to upgrade the system that was running the NHIF to make it compliant.
Gachagua on SHIF: The programme was hurried and there were no sufficient reasons to move hastily from NHIF. It would have cost us between Sh700m and Sh800m to upgrade the system running NHIF, yet we’re moving to a new programme costing us Sh104bn.
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) December 1, 2024
Video: NTV pic.twitter.com/NpMeG9YQ4a
“Yet we are moving to a new programme that is costing Ksh104 billion. And in my view, my honest view, that is the crux of the matter, that is the rush, that is the focus, the Ksh104 billion,” Gachagua said even when President William Ruto and his deputy, Kithure Kindiki, continue to defend the new service.
Gachagua believes the Kenya Kwanza government should have listened to the people before imposing SHA.
“When you listen, you realize I am a people person, and many people assumed I was a rebel within the government; I was not.
“When you listen, you know I am a people’ person, and probably many people thought that I was a rebel within the government; I was not a rebel.
“I was a deputy president of a popularly elected government that is answerable to the people, and in my view, we in government are the employees of the people,” he added.
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“If the people are your employers, any opinion counts. You cannot dismiss what they think and feel.”
He defended himself against some of the criticism he received while serving as the deputy president.
“That is why even Members of Parliament were accusing me of intimidating them when I told them to listen to the ground during the Finance Bill 2024,” he concluded.
“This is because I listen to the ground and I take time to listen to what people are saying.”
‘My Position Is The Same!’ – Gachagua Blasts Gov’t For Hasty SHA Implementation
