KMPDU Deputy Secretary General Dennis Miskellah has criticised President William Ruto and other politicians for giving Kenyans the wrong impression that healthcare is free.
Miskellah, chatting with a local radio station on Friday, October 24, 2025, expressed disappointment that politicians have been getting by on lies.
The union leader pointed out that the government’s messaging about the Social Health Authority (SHA) was not honest and overly simplistic.
He pointed out that people were led to think that getting treatment and medication wouldn’t cost them anything, but he insisted that this was far from the truth.
“You know, there’s really nothing quite like free healthcare; that’s something a lot of people seem to get wrong.” Politicians, including President Ruto, are telling citizens, ‘Don’t pay; if someone asks you to pay, make sure to report it. ’ “But really, someone has to pay for those services,” the union leader mentioned.
Miskellah pointed out that the government hasn’t done a good job of informing Kenyans about how the three SHA funds work and what each one includes.
He pointed out that many people don’t really know what they’re contributing to, which is leading to some confusion and mistrust in the new healthcare system.
“The government hasn’t really explained what the three SHA funds mean to people, which has left many folks confused about what they’re actually contributing to,” he said.
“We’ve often pointed out the issues with the funding model used under SHA. In a country where around 80 percent of people are in the informal sector or unemployed, it’s hard to see how the government thinks everyone can contribute.”
The deputy secretary general pointed out that the idea of free healthcare might not last and could damage the trust between people and the government.
He mentioned that the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has consistently called on the government to take a more transparent approach to health financing.
Miskellah asked the Ministry of Health to explain how SHA funds will be managed and to make sure there’s accountability in how they’re used.
He also urged the government to come up with a funding plan that really matches the country’s economic situation.
He emphasised that if we don’t have honest conversations and proper public education, the idea of universal health coverage will just be a political slogan instead of a real system that truly helps Kenyans.