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Cleric asks President Ruto to handover evidence to investigating authorities

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By Correspondent

The head of Stewards Revival Ministry Bishop Samuel Ngacha Njiriri has asked President William Ruto to hand over the evidence and information in his possession implicating Members of Parliament in corruption to investigating agencies.

Bishop Njiriri says that President Ruto should ensure that all MPs implicated in corruption and extortion from civil servants are prosecuted as a deterrence measure to others.

Bishop Njiriri who is also the chairman of the Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya (FEICCK) says President Ruto’s claims over corruption in Parliament cannot be taken lightly or ignored as he receives a lot of information from the National Intelligence Service(NIS).

“Officers from NIS are spread all over the country and are privy to almost everything going on in the country. It therefore goes without doubt that whatever they tell the president is credible enough,” Bishop Njiriri said.

In his sermon at the Stewards Revival Ministry headquarters in Kariobangi South during a baptismal ceremony on Sunday, Bishop Njiriri asked the head of state to hand over the information in his possession to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Authority (EACC) for action.

Two weeks ago, President Ruto accused MPs of perpetuating corruption by demanding bribes from Cabinet Secretaries and governors, claims that have seemingly created a clash between the Executive and the Legislature.

While addressing the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County, the President called out MPs who, he said, had turned house committees into money-minting rings instead of exercising oversight responsibilities, labelling the House a den of graft.

“There is something happening in parliament that must be called out. There is money being demanded from executives, from governors, from people in executive especially those who are for accountability.” President Ruto, who veered off from his speech, pointed directly to unnamed committees of parliament that he says have turned to extortion rings, claiming that members of a certain committee had demanded as much as Sh 150 million to clear a certain governor implicated in some corrupt malpractices.

“It cannot continue to be business as usual. It cannot be that committees of parliament demand to be paid for them to write reports or look the other way,” said Ruto.

Now Bishop Njiriri wants President Ruto to publicly expose names of all MPs involved in the extortion ring to enable voters to have clear information about their representatives.

“It is also imperative that their names are publicly exposed so that voters do not re-elect them in 2027. Those involved in the scheme should be treated as both criminals and social misfits,” Bishop Njiriri says.

At the same time, Bishop Njiriri has taken issue with assertions by Nyandarua Senator John Methu President Ruto is concentrating much of development in counties such as Homa Bay at the expense of regions such as Mt Kenya that voted for him in 2022.

Homa Bay is among the bastions religiously loyal to ODM leader Raila Odinga, who was Ruto’s chief opponent in the last vote.

According to Methu, the president should only prioritise areas that voted for him in the last General Election.

“I want to ask you, you all saw last week, President William Ruto was in Homa Bay launching many development projects. Did those people in Homa Bay vote for him? So those people saying that we should remain in government, are they stupid or not? And if we were to remain in government, will we stay in a government that is killing people?” he had posed.

But Bishop Njirri now says that all regions across the country are entitled to equal development opportunities as all Kenyans above 18years pay taxes.

“The Senator’s outbursts are completely misplaced. No region should be marginalized on the basis of having not voted for President Ruto in the last election. All Kenyans are entitled to equal development opportunities,” Bishop Njiriri said.

The cleric said Nyanza and North Eastern regions have been marginalized by successive previous governments and it is just logical for the current government to prioritize them in a bid to bring them to the same level as other regions.

MAN ARRESTED IN BARATON FOR STABBING BROTHER-IN-LAW DURING DOMESTIC DISPUTE

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By Remmy Butia

Baraton, Nandi County – A domestic dispute turned fatal on Monday evening when a man allegedly stabbed his brother-in-law during a confrontation.

The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Daniel Kipkorir, is accused of killing 34-year-old Geoffrey Kimutai following an argument involving his wife.

According to a police report filed by Chemundu Assistant Chief Solomon Tarus, the incident began after Kipkorir had a quarrel with his 32-year-old wife. The woman fled their home with their three children and sought refuge at her father’s residence in Baraton.

Kipkorir reportedly arrived at the homestead around 6:00 p.m., armed with a knife and intent on taking the children. A confrontation ensued when his two brothers-in-law attempted to intervene.

During the heated exchange, Kipkorir allegedly stabbed Kimutai in the chest and left shoulder.

Kimutai was rushed to Kapsabet Referral Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival due to excessive bleeding. His body was later transferred to White Crescent Hospital mortuary, where a post-mortem examination is expected.

On hearing of her son’s death, the late Kimutai’s mother collapsed and is currently admitted at Baraton University Jeremic Hospital.

Kipkorir, who sustained injuries from the mob assault, was arrested while receiving treatment at White Crescent Hospital. He is currently in custody at Kapsabet Police Station as investigators from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Chesumei Sub-County continue their inquiries.

Strathmore Leos pulled off a spectacular performance to claim the inaugural Embu Sevens title with a 31–21 victory over KCB Rugby at the ASK Njukiri Showground

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By PHILLIP ORWA

The result not only gave Strathmore their second trophy of the 2025 Sport Pesa National Sevens Circuit but also blew the overall title race wide open with just two legs to go.

With the win, Strathmore inched closer to KCB in the overall standings, with only three points separating the two as KCB remain top with 66 points, but Strathmore’s 63 points keep them firmly in contention.

The two teams at the top have a-piece secured two titles – KCB at Driftwood and Christie, Strathmore at Prinsloo and now Embu – which makes the race for the national crown is delicately poised.

During the first half, Strathmore dominated the opening exchanges, with Nygel Amaitsa’s length-of-the-field try setting the tone, with scores from Victor Mola and Stanlus Shikoli, all converted by Arnold Muita, making the Leos take a commanding 24–7 lead into halftime, gifting the Willis Ojal’s Coached side a deserved win at the breather.

Dennis Mwanja’s Coached KCB, however, refused to go down without a fight making a strategic comeback in the second half, capitalizing on a yellow card to Strathmore’s Gabriel Ayimba. Floyd Wabwire crossed the line twice in quick succession, with Brian Wahinya’s conversions narrowing the gap to 24–21 and setting up a tense finale.

Just when the comeback looked complete, Strathmore showed their resilience, with substitute Samuel Wafula delivering the decisive blow, diving over after the final hooter to seal a famous 31–21 victory for the Leos and silence KCB’s fightback.

With the completion of Embu Sevens, the circuit now heads to its decisive final legs. The Kabeberi Sevens will take place at RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi on September 6–7, before the grand finale at the Dala Sevens on September 13–14 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu.

Tuju: Lack of Economic Planning to address bulging population by successive regimes is blame for Gen Z’s bomb

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By Anderson Ojwang

The red flags raised by booming population growth and failure by successive presidents to put in place economic plan to address the bulge is what has triggered the current Genz bomb.

Former Cabinet Minister Mr. Raphael Tuju  said lack of economic planning by the successive regimes was to blame for the current unemployment among youths witnessed in the country.

He said warning by the economist and other players on the need to put strictures to avoid the bomb were ignored and is now a challenge the country has to wrestle with and find a solution.

Tuju said in a reference to an interview he conducted in1986 with the then Minister for Economic Development, the late Dr Robert Ouko said the Genz phenomena had been boiling for the last 40 years.

He said Dr Ouko had warned that Kenya would run into problem if  the emerging population bulge against economic growth was not addressed.

He said  in the 1980s and 1990s  Kenya had the highest population increase  in the whole world at 4.2 percent but the subsequent leaderships were not addressing how to tackle the economic growth to tackle increasing population.

Currently secondary schools churn out nearly 1m students every year and in the last five years , the figure is in the region of 5 million while the government can only employ between 50,00-100,000 annually.

The mismatch between job opportunities and the high number of students graduating is what has created unemployment bomb in the country.

“For example, in Kisii , Kiambu and Vihiga the population growth  stood at 6 percent then, which was unprecedented in the world’s history in terms of  demographics. That was attributed to  births and not migration.

Ouko told me that we are going to be in a very hot soup with the youth population bulge in subsequent decades but we never addressed the  problems and that is why we are the situation today.

Those countries that were able to address the problem have been able to get out of them.

 In 1973, when president Kenyatta was launching KICC, the 28 storey KICC building was the tallest in Africa and in the whole of China, there tallest building was 26 storeys tall.

They were marveling at that time just how  young African country had actually surpassed them in some of the important indices. China GDP  per capita was below Kenya until 1978.

We got it wrong at some. Kenya, Singapore and Korea were at the same economic level of development at independence. Kenya got it wrong when anybody who had a mind was shot  dead. They shot dead Tom Mboya, who was the  then Economic Planning, a very visionary leader.

Dr Ouko was killed and the only lucky guy who survived during that generation of thinkers was Mwai Kibaki,” he said.

Tuju credited President Kibaki for trying to address the mismatch and gave credit that for first time in 2007, Kenya reached its  economic growth  rate of over 7 percent, which was essential minimum they needed to address the Genze problem currently witnessed in the country.

“But this was soon scuttled and crushed after Kenya’s resorted to ethnic mobilization and the economic growth took a downward spiral after 2007 general elections.

The biggest  problem in Kenya is the ethnic mobilization in our politics.  We look everything in terms of our tribe and not the country. This explains why I could survive to be re-elected as MP for Rarieda because I supported President Kibaki.

In the 2022 general elections, we had issued and ideology based campaign, but currently we are back to ethnic mobilization which is  still taking place through the political class. What is the source of power of influential political class ?. The tribe. Lack of ideological politics  is what is killing our growth.

We are back to ethnic mobilization. It’s very difficult to get the tribe out of the people,” he said

He said it was possible for the country to change demographic bombs into dividends through economic growth and planning.

“As a country, we must have hope and point out where we have problems. I am convinced Kenya has the potential to become one of the economic households if we get it right,” he said.

Kenya’s economic growth since independence in 1963 can be divided into periods, with a highly successful “Kenyan miracle” of rapid growth (6.6% average annual GDP growth) in the first decade (1963-1973), fueled by agriculture and import-substitution industrialization. Growth then decelerated in the 1970s, declined significantly in the 1980s and 1990s, and saw significant fluctuations with a recession in the early 2000s before a revival in the mid-2000s

  • 1963-1973: Rapid “Kenyan Miracle”
    • Growth Rate: An average annual GDP growth rate of about 6.6%. 
    • ·         Drivers: Favorable weather, rising agricultural incomes, investment in import-substituting industries, and the creation of the East African Community. 
    • ·         Policy: The government promoted public investment and encouraged both private (often foreign) and smallholder agricultural production. 
  • 1974-1979: Slowdown in Growth
    • Factors: This period experienced a deceleration in growth, partly due to oil price shocks and other factors. 
  • 1980s-1990s: Significant Decline
    • Growth Rate: GDP growth declined substantially, averaging 4.2% in the 1980s and further dropping to 2.2% annually in the 1990s. 
  • Early 2000s: Recession and Revival
    • Recession: The economy experienced a significant setback, including a negative GDP growth rate in the 2000/2001 fiscal year. 
    • Revival: The economy began to recover, with growth accelerating to over 6% by the 2006/2007 fiscal year. 

Kenya is currently off and on being rocked by protests by Gen-Zs that represent a significant challenge to President  Ruto’s presidency and the resilience of Kenya’s democratic institutions.

Last year, Kenya  was rocked by protest over a contentious tax bill have turned deadly, which forced the government to shelve the bill.

Young Kenyans are eager to participate in ensuring Kenya’s economic growth.  The  youth have taken the lead in educating, sharing information, and live streaming the protests and their demands.

President Ruto opens Homa Bay lake front as a tourist destination

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By Habil Onyango

The ongoing CHAN tournament hosted by Kenya ,Uganda and Tanzania has exposed Homa Bay as a destination to enjoy watching the games.

The once neglected and delipidated Homa Bay and market, which were an eyesore and aptly captured the state of economy and development in the county, is today a place to be.

The newly development lake front has turned Homa Bay town as an overnight destination and a place to watch football.

It is a new tourism destination and a place yo while time with friends and enjoy the beauty of the sun rising and setting.

It is a beauty within a beauty a destination comparable to others in the developed worlds and the first of it’s kind in the country.

This is one of the pet projects by a president William Ruto to Homa Bay apart from the construction of state lodge.

The amphitheatre apart from exciting the region and other country , it has also caused discomfort in some quarters.

Some leaders have even accused the President of launching several projects in the county despite it not having voted for him in the last general election.

for President Ruto’s administration focus on the lakefront, where several modern facilities have been established or refurbished.

President Ruto’s administration has constructed the first-ever open amphitheater on Kenya’s lakefront, complete with gardens, cycling and walking tracks, boat rides, and a well-designed sunset viewpoint.

During the CHAN quarter -final, Homa Bay residents had the opportunity to watch the match between Harambee Stars and Madagascar on a mounted TV screen at the venue.

According to Internal Security Permanent Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo, President Ruto’s declaration of “Kusema na kutenda” (to speak and act) is manifesting at the Homa Bay lakefront, where promises have been transformed into action.

“The transformation unfolding on the shores of Lake Victoria highlights a government that delivers on its commitments, reshaping communities through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA),” Omollo stated on his Facebook page.

At the heart of this regeneration is the state-of-the-art Homa Bay Fish Market, which is now fully operational and hosting more than 2,000 traders. Dr. Omollo remarked that fishmongers are no longer forced to operate from makeshift sheds lacking amenities.

He emphasized that the market is equipped with modern storage, sanitation, and trading facilities, making it a true hub of commerce.

“For the fisherfolk, traders, and buyers, it has brought dignity, order, and efficiency to a sector that supports thousands of livelihoods,” he noted.

“Adjacent to it, the revived Homa Bay Pier is a crucial component in driving the region’s economic development.” Said Dr. Omollo.

Omollo revealed that the once-neglected pier has been renovated, allowing it to accommodate cargo vessels, passenger ferries, and tourist boats.

“This revival connects Homa Bay to wider trade networks, seamlessly linking it with other towns around the lake and beyond,” he added.

The PS pointed out that the fish market drives trade and secures livelihoods, while the pier fosters commerce and connectivity. The amphitheater promotes tourism, generating jobs and revenue in the process.

“As these facilities attract more traders, investors, and tourists, an influx of people into the town is inevitable,” he said.

Omollo emphasized that this is where the government’s foresight comes into play, particularly through the Homa Bay Affordable Housing Project (APH), which is now complete and facilitating occupancy to alleviate accommodation pressure. This ensures that growth in trade and tourism is matched by the development of livable housing.

“The broader picture is compelling. What is happening at the Homa Bay lakefront is much more than local regeneration. It signifies a national transformation, reflecting Kenya’s commitment to the Blue Economy—harnessing water resources for food security, jobs, trade, and tourism,” he said.

“It serves as a model of how government projects, when thoughtfully integrated, can multiply impacts and generate benefits that extend far beyond their immediate areas,” the PS concluded.

“From the lakefront to livelihoods, from trade to tourism, and from housing to human dignity, the government is delivering for the people of Homa Bay!”

President Ruto transforms Homa Bay with development as the county government has nothing to show for Sh 13 billion

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By Anderson Ojwang

The major recent transformation of Homa Bay from a sleepy and dormant county of endless potentials to one of the Kenya’s greatest destinations and an emerging tiger can be credited to President William Ruto and the national government.

President Ruto through his affirmative action turned the county and Homa Bay town as one of the focal development points and his administration legacy.

For Ruto Homa Bay where he is comfortable and feels at home, is a testament and visualizes what his government agenda for the country is in terms of development and legacy.

But while President Ruto has left a milestone in Homa bay through several pillar projects, the county government is on the spot for failing to deliver on it’s mandate.

The county government has received an estimated shs 33 billion from the national government for the last three years of which 40 percent is expected to go towards the development and this translates to Shs 13 billion.

Currently the country government has a pending bill estimated to stand at Shs 4 billion from shs 800m that was left behind by former governor Cyperian Awiti’ s administration.

The county government is alleged to operate on what is termed as Fuliza financial management arrangement from four banks which it owes over shs 2 billion each to meet it’s recurrent budget.

In the last financial year, the assembly committee said that no development projects were advertised and awarded and left the questions of where the funds for development could have gone to.

Sources within the county also claimed the road construction works for the two last financial years were yet to be paid for despite having allocation from the national government .

Apart from few pockets of development projects such as construction of ECDE classrooms , there is no meaningful developments to justify the shs 13 billion meant for development in the county.

Internal security permanent secretary Dr Raymond Omollo in his Facebook page thanked president Ruto for turning the fortunes of the country.

Omollo said the county has recieved several projects from the national government which have significant impact on the local economy.

He wrote”H.E. President William Samoei Ruto’s, “Kusema na kutenda,” proclamation is coming to life at the Homa Bay lakefront, where his word has stood as bond and translated into action.

The transformation that is unfolding on the shores of Lake Victoria speaks volumes of a government that delivers on its promises, deliberately reshaping communities under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

At the center of this regeneration lies the state-of-the-art Homa Bay Fish Market, now fully operational and hosting more than 2,000 traders. No longer are fishmongers forced to operate in makeshift sheds without amenities.

The market is equipped with modern storage, sanitation and trading facilities, making it a true hub of commerce.

For the fisherfolk, traders and buyers, it has brought dignity, order and efficiency to a sector that sustains thousands of livelihoods.

Just beside it, the revived Homa Bay Pier stands as a crucial cog in turning the economic wheel of the region.

Once neglected, it has been renovated and it will start now accommodating cargo vessels, passenger ferries and tourist boats.

This revival opens Homa Bay to wider trade networks, connecting it seamlessly with other towns across the lake and beyond.

Between these two developments is a jewel that completes the triad.

The first-ever open amphitheatre on Kenya’s lakefront, surrounded by gardens, cycling and walking tracks, boat rides and a well designed sunset viewpoint.

The interconnectedness of these three developments cannot be overstated. The fish market drives trade and guarantees livelihoods, the pier fuels commerce and connectivity, while the amphitheatre promotes tourism, in turn creating jobs and generating revenue.

As these facilities attract more traders, investors and tourists, an influx of population into the town is inevitable.

This is where the government’s foresight comes into play, through the Homa Bay Affordable Housing Project (APH), which is already complete and occupancy going on to ease the pressure on accommodation, ensuring that growth in trade and tourism is matched by growth in livable housing.

The broader picture is compelling. What is happening at the Homa Bay lakefront is far more than a local regeneration.

It is a national transformation, speaking to Kenya’s commitment to the Blue Economy; to harnessing its water resources for food security, jobs, trade and tourism. It is a model of how government projects, when tied together thoughtfully, can multiply impact and ripple benefits far beyond their immediate locale.

From the lakefront to livelihoods, from trade to tourism and from housing to human dignity, the government is delivering to the people of Homa Bay!”

PRESIDENT RUTO PROCLAIMS AUGUST 27TH AS NATIONAL “KATIBA DAY”

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By Remmy Butia

In a historic move to cement the nation’s commitment to its foundational law, His Excellency President William Samoei Ruto has issued a Presidential Proclamation officially designating August 27th of every year as “Katiba Day.”

The proclamation, issued from the Executive Office of the President, establishes an annual national observance to commemorate the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya on August 27, 2010. This year’s celebration will mark the fifteenth anniversary of what the proclamation describes as a “transformative and progressive legal document.”

The 2010 Constitution is widely regarded as a watershed moment in Kenya’s history, born from a long struggle for reform and a decisive national referendum. It ushered in a new era of governance, dismantling the highly centralized state and replacing it with a devolved system of 47 county governments. It also enshrined a robust Bill of Rights, strengthened democratic institutions, and established new frameworks for public service and land management.

According to the proclamation, “Katiba Day” will serve as an annual reminder for all Kenyan citizens to “obey, preserve, protect, and implement the Constitution.” The day is envisioned not merely as a public holiday but as a moment for national reflection, civic education, and recommitment to the principles of constitutionalism and citizen-centered governance.

The proclamation reads in part: “The Constitution of Kenya 2010… remains our nation’s most definitive guarantee to a democratic, accountable and transparent State that is responsive to the will of the people. This day shall be observed to reflect on our progress in the implementation of the Constitution, and to rededicate ourselves to the national values and principles of governance it embodies.”

The establishment of “Katiba Day” is expected to spur nationwide activities, including educational programs in schools and public forums, aimed at deepening the public’s understanding of the Constitution and their role in safeguarding it.

As Kenya prepares to observe the first official “Katiba Day,” the proclamation stands as a formal recognition of the enduring significance of the constitution and a call to action for every Kenyan to uphold the promise of its transformative vision.

Hospital management denies all Nyandiwa Level Four Hospital in Suba has defended the Social Health Authority of it’s non-existence over sh 20M SHA disbursement

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By Habil Onyango
For the past few days there have been allegations by a section of Kenyans over allocation of Social Health Authority (SHA) to ghost health facilities.

The recent one being Nyandiwa Dispensary where SHA sent funds worth Ksh 20M an allegation which has brought alot of heat on the health sector.

According to hospital officials located in Nyandiwa, in Gwassi North Ward, the SHA sent the funds to their bank account.

This contradicts reports suggesting that the money was sent to Nyandiwa Health Centre in West Kamagak, which does not exist.

Fredrick Owino, the medical officer in charge of Nyandiwa Level Four Hospital, confirmed that their facility received the funds. He explained that the hospital operates under the bank account name “Nyandiwa Dispensary.” The discrepancy arises from the hospital’s failure to update its original name after being elevated in status in 2022.

“We are aware of the confusion, but I want to clarify that we received the money. Our facility serves many patients who utilize SHA services, and we regularly receive funding from the agency,” Owino stated.

He added that the hospital management has outlined several development plans, which they intend to implement using resources from SHA and other agencies.

These plans include the construction of new fully integrated outpatient and inpatient units, which will allow for expanded services such as maternal and child health care.

“We can currently conduct minor surgeries, but we refer more complex cases, including cesarean sections, to other facilities. Our goal is to provide most of the essential services required by the community,” Owino said.

Zadoc Aloo, chairperson of the hospital’s board of management, emphasized that the hospital has both annual and five-year plans in place.

“The board has ensured that the staff work collaboratively, which enables us to achieve our goals. We are currently undertaking significant infrastructure development at the hospital,” Aloo explained.

One patient, Jane Sugu, was admitted on Friday after experiencing discomfort in her stomach and was later diagnosed with typhoid fever.

“I live near the beach and sometimes use water directly from the lake. It was that dirty water that made me sick,” Sugu shared.

Her condition has stabilized after receiving treatment, and she mentioned, “All my medical bills have been taken care of by SHA.”

KITUR AND SANG DEMAND CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW, CITE GENDER RULE AND CDF SHORTCOMINGS

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By Remmy Butia

A renewed push for a comprehensive audit of Kenya’s 2010 constitution is gaining momentum, with Nandi Hills MP Bernard Kitur and Nandi Governor Stephen Sang declaring that after 13 years, it is time to refine the document to fix what is not working.

The leaders made the call on Sunday during a public event in Nandi County, arguing that the constitutional dispensation has matured enough to be reviewed and amended to better serve Kenyans.

Nandi Hills MP Bernard Kitur was direct in his assessment, pinpointing specific articles that have proven problematic or ineffective. He argued for a pragmatic approach to amendments, focusing on practical outcomes rather than ideological purity.

“We must not be afraid to look at our constitution and improve it. The things that are not working, let’s remove and ensure that the right things work,” stated MP Kitur. “For instance, the two-thirds gender rule has been a challenge to implement since its inception. Similarly, the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) has been a vital tool for grassroots development, yet its place in the constitution needs to be solidified and protected from legal challenges. These are practical issues affecting our people that we must address.”

His sentiments were strongly supported by Governor Stephen Sang, who framed the 13 years of the constitution as a natural milestone for evaluation. He emphasised that a review is not an attempt to dismantle the document but to strengthen its foundations for the future.

“Thirteen years of a constitutional dispensation needs to be reviewed,” Governor Sang asserted. “We have seen what works well and what has not met the expectations of the Kenyan people. This is about making devolution more effective, ensuring equitable resource distribution, and streamlining governance to reduce waste and duplication of functions. It is a call for perfection, not a rejection of the progress we have made.”

The event, attended by local residents and grassroots leaders, highlighted a growing sentiment among a section of policymakers who believe the constitution’s implementation has revealed structural flaws. The persistent failure to enact the two-thirds gender rule, leading to numerous court cases and legislative stand-offs, is frequently cited as a key example of a well-intentioned provision that has proven unworkable in practice.

Similarly, the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), while popular with MPs for its direct impact on constituencies, has faced existential legal challenges regarding its constitutionality, creating uncertainty around community projects.

The call from the two Nandi leaders is expected to add fuel to a simmering national debate. While many agree that certain aspects of the constitution need tweaking, the process of amendment is politically fraught. Any attempt to open the document for review risks triggering widespread negotiations and demands from various interest groups across the country.

As the conversation evolves, the focus from leaders like Kitur and Sang on specific, implementation-based issues may shape a more pragmatic and less politically charged debate on the future of Kenya’s supreme law.

Why SHA Should Only Be for Public Hospitals, Prioritizing Health Before Profit

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Billy Mijungu

By Billy Mijungu

This was the week that the Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya raised the alarm that the Social Health Authority is crippling private, community, and faith based hospitals.

With over 700 members nationwide, their concerns highlight the urgent need to rethink SHA’s role in our healthcare system. Hospitals are struggling under delayed reimbursements and that is a clear pointer to who truly sustains the system.

Despite a directive to pay on the 14th of every month, SHA continues to stall private healthcare. To date, claims worth Kshs 93 billion have been submitted, but only Kshs 50 billion, just 53 percent, has been reimbursed, leaving Kshs 43 billion in unpaid liabilities. This is concerning considering that money is going into private entities that prioritize profit before healthcare.

SHA’s publication of reimbursement data lacks crucial context. Without showing total claims and payout ratios, the numbers cannot serve as a genuine measure of transparency. Regardless of how they are presented, those numbers mean something for a nation conscious of public health.

Meanwhile, primary healthcare reimbursements in pilot counties remain unpaid. This is virtually free money considering it is a basic service that public hospitals can handle with ease. Such failure undermines the credibility of free primary healthcare both at the SHA level and at the hospital level.

Claims of arbitrary deletions and downgrading of facilities on the SHA portal, despite valid licenses, violate Gazette Notices like No. 269 of 2021 as well as constitutional safeguards of due process. This would not be the case if it were solely a public sector driven agenda.

Health will continue to suffer because of a lack of confidence building. The system has created mistrust and inefficiency at the frontline of healthcare delivery, especially for private hospitals. This is one more reason why they need to exit a public space that was only meant to facilitate rather than depend on them.

The crisis in the private sector is compounded by the hangover of NHIF arrears that once kept them afloat. One hundred and sixty eight days after the President directed that all pending bills be cleared, hospitals are still waiting. They must now wait longer and should retire from competing with the public sector. Their objectives are worlds apart and they do not complement each other.

NHIF is owed Kshs 33 billion, and SHA liabilities now stand at Kshs 43 billion, a staggering Kshs 76 billion in total that could have done more for the public sector. These unpaid debts have left facilities on the brink of insolvency, a clear sign they are sustained by the public sector. This threatens the sustainability of essential services for those who should otherwise afford private hospitals. It is more reason for a call to draw distinct lines, with collaboration but not dependency.

To make matters worse, private hospitals, which deliver half of Kenya’s health services, are in that position only because of State choice. Government is complicit in this mess because it controls resources that define the entire health environment. As they face blatant discrimination, with legitimate claims trapped in endless medical reviews lasting months, private facilities suffer in a way that would not occur in public hospitals.

The tragedy is not just in unpaid bills but in the squandered opportunity for government to improve public healthcare. The Kshs 93 billion in claims could already have transformed Kenya’s public health system into a world class model. With that amount, the country could build and equip several hospitals on the scale of Kenyatta National Hospital in every region so that Kenyans would no longer need to travel to Nairobi for specialized care.

It could modernize all county referral hospitals, ensure that each has CT scans and MRI machines, expand intensive care units, and keep essential medicines permanently in stock. That level of investment could also finance a massive training program for specialists, including oncologists, neurosurgeons, and cardiologists. It could stem the brain drain of doctors leaving for better opportunities abroad and position Kenya as a regional hub for advanced medical care.

It would mean Kenyans no longer have to fly to India or South Africa for treatment because the expertise and technology would be available here at home. Most importantly, such investment would make it possible to retire private medical schemes for civil servants which consume billions every year and fuel elitism within the State. These schemes create a privileged class separated from ordinary citizens who must endure long queues in underfunded hospitals while the private sector continues to bleed the public system.

Redirecting resources into a strong, efficient, and well resourced public health system would close this gap and guarantee equal access to quality care for all. If properly managed, Kenyans could enjoy a system where world class treatment is the standard, not the exception, and where every citizen, regardless of income or status, can trust public hospitals with their health and dignity. The money is there; what is missing is accountability, prioritization, and political will.

The truth is that if SHA cannot pay promptly and fairly, it should be confined to public hospitals. Private, community, and faith based facilities require a framework that respects their investments and sustains their services without unnecessary bureaucratic sabotage. SHA was meant to anchor universal health coverage, but it cannot succeed by bankrupting half the system simply because of an organized private sector competing against the public sector that SHA was created to strengthen.

Kenya needs a sustainable financing model that treats private providers as partners, not adversaries, but without dependency on public funds. If private hospitals collapse, the public sector will only grow stronger owing to the vast resources available to it. This does not mean collapse of healthcare for millions of Kenyans. On the contrary, the dream of universal health coverage will finally be achieved and not remain an empty promise.

Lastly of all sectors, why is it only Healthcare that is partly privatised by the state ? Government actively Subsidises private sector.