The leaders of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Raila Odinga’s foot soldiers fiercely condemned former President Uhuru Kenyatta following his speech at the Jubilee Party’s National Delegate Conference (NDC) in Nairobi, where he criticised the replacement of the Linda Mama program with the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Speaking at Ngong Racecourse on September 26, Uhuru accused President William Ruto’s administration of eroding key Jubilee-era policies like Linda Mama, which offered free maternity services to millions of Kenyan women. ODM figures, including Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, hit back, defending SHA as a superior healthcare initiative.
Nassir, a staunch ODM ally, challenged Uhuru’s claims, stating, “SHA is better than Linda Mama. Criticise us with facts.” He argued that SHA, launched in July 2023, expands access beyond maternity to comprehensive healthcare, covering 12.8 million registered Kenyans by August 2025.
Wanga echoed this, accusing Uhuru of spreading falsehoods. “SHA has replaced Linda Mama with broader benefits, including dialysis and cancer treatment,” she said in Homa Bay, urging Kenyans to verify claims through SHA’s digital platform.
The backlash followed Uhuru’s NDC remarks, where he lamented the dismantling of Jubilee’s healthcare gains, claiming SHA’s rollout has caused public inconvenience. Social media amplified the feud, with ODM supporters praising Wanga’s defence and labelling Uhuru’s criticism as “outdated propaganda”.
Others backed Uhuru, arguing Linda Mama’s simplicity outshone SHA’s bureaucratic hurdles. The debate reflects ongoing tensions between Jubilee and ODM, despite their past alliance under the 2018 handshake.
SHA’s transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) has drawn scrutiny, with a September 2025 report noting SHA collects KSh 6.7 billion monthly but spends KSh 8.7 billion, raising sustainability concerns.
Critics, including Uhuru, point to access issues for rural Kenyans, while ODM defends SHA’s expanded coverage, like maternity benefits now integrated into primary healthcare packages.
The spat now shows deeper political rifts. Uhuru’s NDC speech, signalling a Jubilee revival and potential exit from Raila’s Azimio coalition, has strained relations. ODM’s defence of Ruto’s policies, cemented by a March 2025 ODM-UDA pact, further complicates dynamics, with Raila praising the deal for fostering harmony.