Kenyans Outraged as SHA Abandons Monthly Payments, Demands Full-Year Fee Upfront

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A fresh storm is brewing across the country as the Social Health Authority (SHA) quietly shifts its payment policy—demanding Kenyans pay a full year’s premium upfront before accessing healthcare services.

Previously, Kenyans were allowed to contribute monthly, making the scheme accessible to low-income earners. However, patients are now being turned away at hospitals unless they settle the entire Ksh12,460 annual subscription.

This abrupt change, which caught many off-guard, has triggered a flood of complaints online. Citizens are expressing disbelief and anger, citing cases where even those who had paid monthly contributions were denied treatment.

One affected Kenyan, John Nalugala, shared, “I paid Ksh1,030 for two months, but now I’m being told to pay the full amount. Is SHA for the rich only?” Another, Linda George, recounted how Level 4 hospitals refused to serve her unless she paid the yearly fee.

Adding fuel to the fire, those unable to pay upfront are being asked to take Hustler Fund loans to cover the cost—essentially pushing them into debt just to access medical services.

This development comes despite President William Ruto’s recent launch of the ‘lipa pole pole’ model, which was marketed as a flexible payment plan for informal sector workers. But under the new arrangement effective June 2025, the monthly model has been scrapped, and staggered payments are only possible through Hustler Fund loans.

The Ministry of Health has acknowledged the outcry. Medical Services PS Ouma Oluga has urged Kenyans to document their experiences. SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi also promised to investigate the issue and update the public soon.

Meanwhile, thousands of Kenyans who trusted SHA for affordable healthcare are left stranded and disillusioned, as the reality of an expensive and inaccessible system kicks in.

Brace for Impact: Kenya Met Warns of Strong Winds and Massive Waves in 15 Counties

 

Kenyans living in 15 counties have been urged to remain vigilant after the Kenya Meteorological Department issued a high alert for strong winds and large ocean waves. The weather advisory, released on Friday, June 13, indicates that the extreme conditions will persist for six days, up to Wednesday, June 18.

The affected counties include Lamu, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Tana River, Taita Taveta, Marsabit, Turkana, Samburu, Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Kitui, and Makueni. These areas fall within the Coast, North-Eastern, North-Western, and South-Eastern lowlands, where the winds and waves are forecast to hit hardest.

According to the Met Department, strong southerly winds exceeding 25 knots (12.9 meters per second) are expected to sweep across the regions beginning Friday. From Saturday through Tuesday, wind speeds are likely to rise above 30 knots (15.4 meters per second), potentially causing widespread damage.

The department warned that such winds could blow off rooftops, uproot trees, and damage structures. Marine operations are also expected to face significant challenges, including low visibility and rough seas.

Ocean wave heights along Kenya’s coast are forecast to surpass 2.5 metres on Friday, increasing to around 2.8 metres between Saturday, June 14, and Tuesday, June 17. By Wednesday morning, they are expected to gradually drop below 2.4 metres.

Kenya Met Director Dr. David Gikungu emphasized that the risk levels are moderate to significant, with a probability of between 33 to 66 percent. Residents and those engaging in sea activities have been urged to heed safety precautions and follow updates closely.

Previously, similar weather prompted local authorities in Mombasa to close public beaches as a preventive measure. It remains unclear whether the same steps will be taken this time, but the possibility remains if the situation escalates.

With the weather pattern expected to change drastically, Kenyans are advised to stay alert, especially those living in vulnerable coastal and inland areas.

Kioni Accuses Police of Hiding Truth in Ojwang's Death, Calls It a State Cover-Up

 

Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has launched a scathing attack on Kenyan law enforcement, accusing them of orchestrating a cover-up over the death of Albert Omondi Ojwang. The 31-year-old teacher and blogger died under suspicious circumstances while in police custody.

Speaking during a live interview on June 13, Kioni questioned the sincerity of police investigations into the incident. He said the authorities are deliberately dragging their feet and hiding critical details that would expose those responsible.

Ojwang was arrested in Homa Bay on June 7 before being transferred to Nairobi’s Central Police Station. A day later, he was found dead, with police claiming he succumbed to self-inflicted injuries—a narrative Kioni outright rejected.

He contrasted the sluggish response to Ojwang’s death with the swift action taken during the probe into the murder of a Member of Parliament last year. According to Kioni, this shows the justice system only works when powerful individuals are involved.

“This was not a case that happened in the wild,” Kioni stated. “It happened in a major police station with surveillance systems. Yet the CCTV conveniently failed?”

Kioni alleged that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations is already in possession of all facts surrounding the death. He accused the agency and Parliament of shielding those involved, turning the tragedy into a political charade.

He went on to demand that those who gave the order to transfer Ojwang from Homa Bay to Nairobi be held criminally liable. “If Deputy Inspector General Lagat sanctioned the transfer, he too must face the law,” Kioni asserted.

The case has sparked countrywide protests, with citizens demanding justice and an end to police brutality. It has also reignited debate on the culture of impunity within security agencies.

Meanwhile, IPOA Chairperson Isaack Hassan confirmed that everyone involved in Ojwang’s arrest, detention, and transfer is being treated as a suspect in an ongoing murder investigation. He warned that any form of interference or non-cooperation from police officers would not be tolerated.

IPOA has promised a thorough and independent probe to ensure accountability.

Gachagua Demands DIG Langat’s Resignation Over Blogger’s Killing, Accuses Ruto of Shielding ‘Killer Squad’

 

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has demanded the immediate resignation of Deputy Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja Langat. He accuses Langat of leading a shadowy police unit that targets government critics.

Gachagua linked the recent killing of a popular blogger to this so-called "killer squad" allegedly operating under Langat's command. He claimed the killing was politically motivated and carried out to silence voices of dissent.

The former DP further alleged that Langat is not acting alone but enjoys the full backing of President William Ruto. According to Gachagua, Ruto is using state security to clamp down on opposition and critical voices under the guise of national security.

In a strongly worded statement, Gachagua said the country is heading toward dictatorship. He warned that if leaders like Langat are not held accountable, the rule of law will collapse completely.

He described the murder as “cold-blooded” and called for an independent investigation to reveal those behind it. Gachagua questioned why no top security official had been suspended or arrested following the blogger’s death.

The ex-Deputy President said Langat’s continued stay in office is a threat to civil liberties. He urged Parliament and civil society to push for Langat’s resignation and press for broader police reforms.

He added that the killing of government critics cannot be dismissed as isolated incidents. Gachagua insisted that the murders are systematic and point to an orchestrated campaign to silence the youth and online voices.

He urged Kenyans not to be intimidated and vowed to stand with families who have lost loved ones in similar circumstances. Gachagua also hinted at mobilizing peaceful protests if justice is not served swiftly.

The former DP concluded by warning President Ruto that history would not be kind to leaders who protect murderers. He called on international human rights bodies to take note of the alarming rise in state-linked killings in Kenya.

Ruto Secures New Trade Deals as Kenya Eyes Chinese and EU Markets

 

President William Ruto has announced major strides in trade diplomacy, revealing ongoing negotiations that could open up Kenya’s access to massive international markets. Speaking on recent engagements, Ruto highlighted the landmark EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which grants Kenyan exporters duty-free, quota-free access to the European Union.

In addition to the EU deal, Ruto shared updates from his latest trip to China, where he raised concerns over the glaring trade imbalance between the two nations. “We import over Ksh.600 billion worth of goods from China, yet they buy only Ksh.40 billion from us,” he noted, terming it an unsustainable disparity.

To address this, the president disclosed that China has agreed to pursue a bilateral trade agreement with Kenya aimed at eliminating tariffs on Kenyan exports. He said a technical team is already preparing to travel to China to finalize the deal, which could unlock access to the Chinese market for key agricultural products.

“I expect that by September or latest October, we will have sealed the agreement,” Ruto said. He emphasized that the pact would boost exports of avocados, tea, coffee, and macadamia nuts to China’s population of over one billion people.

China has also announced a broader initiative to scrap tariffs on imports from all 53 African countries it has diplomatic relations with. This comes after a high-level meeting in Changsha, where Chinese and African leaders discussed trade expansion and policy cooperation.

According to China’s foreign ministry, Beijing is eager to welcome high-quality African products, signaling a shift towards more balanced trade partnerships. Experts believe this could help African nations reduce their deficits with China, which last year stood at a staggering Ksh.8 trillion.

Analysts say China’s renewed interest in African markets is also backed by its pledge of 360 billion yuan in credit and investments over three years. This move could revitalize infrastructure and development funding that had slowed during the pandemic.

As Kenya positions itself at the forefront of African trade reforms, Ruto’s administration is banking on strategic diplomacy to spur economic growth and open up new opportunities for Kenyan farmers and exporters.

Ruto Confronts Kang’ata Over Low Health Scheme Enrollment in Murang’a

 

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President William Ruto has publicly criticized Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata for the county’s poor enrolment in the government’s Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme.

Speaking during the Murang’a International Investment Conference on Friday, June 13, Ruto expressed concern over the county's low numbers, revealing that only 283,000 out of 1.5 million residents are registered.

“You’ve clapped too soon. Murang’a is ranked 35th out of 47 counties with only 27% registration,” Ruto stated, drawing attention to the seriousness of the issue.

The President announced plans to send a team from SHA and the Ministry of Health to the county to conduct sensitisation campaigns and work closely with the local government to increase awareness and sign-ups.

This development comes even as Murang’a residents benefit from Kang’ata Care, a county-level health initiative spearheaded by Governor Kang’ata. The program supports around 40,000 households and is designed to provide health coverage to vulnerable populations. It works in collaboration with SHA, with the county paying premiums in advance.

Despite this, Ruto maintained that county facilities must be fully aligned with SHA to ensure access to government reimbursements. Just a week earlier, the President directed all governors to register public health facilities under the SHA framework, saying unregistered ones were limiting access to quality healthcare.

Ruto’s remarks signal a push to streamline universal health coverage by consolidating efforts under the SHA platform, even as counties run parallel schemes. The President emphasized the importance of full participation, urging leaders to enforce accountability through measurable targets.

As Murang’a now faces pressure to boost SHA numbers, the collaboration between national and county governments is set to be tested in the coming weeks.

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Shocking Death in Custody: IPOA Confirms OCS a Person of Interest After Man Dies in Cell

 

Albert Ojwang met a tragic end inside the Central Police Station cell in Nairobi, sparking outrage and questions over the conduct of officers on duty. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into the circumstances leading to his mysterious death.

According to IPOA Commissioner Boniface Samati, Ojwang’s death occurred while he was still in police custody. He confirmed that the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Samson Talam, is now a person of interest in the unfolding case.

Samati said preliminary findings point to possible foul play or negligence within the police facility. He added that IPOA is determined to pursue justice and ensure accountability for any officers involved.

The late Ojwang had reportedly been arrested earlier and locked up at the station pending further processing. Details surrounding his arrest remain unclear, but the manner of his death has left many demanding answers.

Witnesses who interacted with Ojwang before his arrest described him as calm and cooperative. Human rights activists are now piling pressure on the authorities to conduct a transparent investigation and make their findings public.

Samati emphasized that IPOA has already recorded statements from key witnesses and collected CCTV footage from the police station. The footage and testimonies are expected to play a critical role in determining what transpired on the night of Ojwang’s death.

Meanwhile, the family of the deceased is devastated and demanding justice. They have questioned why no officer raised the alarm when Ojwang’s condition deteriorated while in custody.

The body has since been taken to the City Mortuary for a post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death. IPOA has promised to make the autopsy results public once the process is complete.

OCS Talam has yet to make any public statement on the matter, but sources within the police service say he may be required to step aside during investigations. Pressure is now mounting on the National Police Service to cooperate fully with IPOA.

Kenyans continue to demand accountability for deaths in police custody. The case of Albert Ojwang has added to the growing list of suspicious deaths linked to law enforcement agencies.