President William Ruto has dismissed claims by Kakamega Catholic Bishop Joseph Obanyi that St. Mary’s Hospital in Mumias had received only Ksh9 million from the Social Health Authority (SHA) over the past 10 months.
Speaking during a Teachers’ Forum at State House on September 13, Ruto said he personally followed up on the matter with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale after hearing the bishop’s complaint that the hospital had not received SHA payments.
“Bishop said that SHA is not working, that they had only been paid Ksh9 million. I decided to take action and requested data from the authority. Upon review, it was confirmed that St. Mary’s had actually received Ksh98 million. We even confirmed with their bank manager, and indeed, the funds had been received,” Ruto said.
According to the president, Bishop Obanyi later admitted that he had been misled by his hospital’s management, who had allegedly defrauded the institution.
“The bishop said I am sorry, I was misled,” Ruto added.
Earlier, Bishop Joseph Obanyi had dismissed claims by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi that St. Mary’s Hospital in Mumias received Ksh82 million from SHA.
According to Bishop Obanyi, the Catholic Church–run facility had only received Ksh9 million over the past 10 months, far below the amount alleged by Mudavadi.
He said the institution is drowning in debt due to delayed payments from government health schemes, which forced it to shut down after 117 years of service.
“It’s a mission hospital that serves the poor. We cannot make politics out of the suffering of ordinary people,” the bishop said.
Also Read: Bishop Blasts Mudavadi for Being a Liar
Ruto to Go After SHA Fraudsters
President William Ruto has since assured that his government will intensify the fight against institutions and individuals defrauding the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Speaking on Saturday, Ruto said fraudulent billing in both public and private facilities was draining funds meant to support patients under the universal health coverage program.
“We will deal firmly with crooks who divert money meant for patients,” the president said, adding that the success of universal health coverage was a constitutional obligation. “Health is a constitutional right of every Kenyan citizen.”
Also Read: Duale Submits Files to DCI Amid SHA Scandal Claims
He pointed to a recent case in Kinoo where a health facility was flagged for filing claims for procedures that never took place and for duplicate operations. The incident, he said, was part of a wider web of malpractice that is now under investigation.
Ruto’s remarks come amid rising scrutiny of the SHA, following revelations of systemic fraud that have raised questions about accountability in the government’s flagship health reform.
Earlier, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale handed over 1,188 case files to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), describing them as evidence of widespread abuse.
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