President William Ruto on Sunday reaffirmed his commitment to bring about positive transformation of Kenya, despite the numerous challenges his administration has faced two years after he took office.
While attending a Sunday service at Soweto Catholic Church in Nairobi, Ruto reiterated his focus on making Kenya a great country and ensuring that Kenyans enjoy a good quality of life.
“Watu wengi wananiskuma sana, eti wewe lazima ufanye hivi na hivi. Na hiyo mimi nakubali kwa sababu hii Kenya lazima ibadilike. And I am determined to change this country. By the grace of God this country is not going to remain the same,” he stated.
He expressed optimism that, although some development programmes initiated by his administration have encountered obstacles, they will ultimately benefit all citizens once fully implemented.
“I have no doubt in my mind that Kenya is going to change. That we are going to deliver on food security, affordable housing, universal healthcare and ensure all our children go to school. I have no doubt in my mind it’s going to happen,” he asserted.
Ruto cited the health insurance programme under the new Social Health Authority, expressing confidence that it will serve all Kenyans well, particularly by ensuring every citizen has medical coverage.
“Bado kuna watu wanauza shamba kugharamia matibabu yao. Harambee nyingi zinafanywa kutafuta pesa za matibabu. Ile mpango wa NHIF ilikuwa inashughulikia watu wachache. Ndio maana tumebadilisha. Matibabu sio ya watu wenye uwezo pekee,” he remarked.
“Sio lazima uwe tajiri ndio uwe na bima ya afya. Hata kama huna uwezo, for those who cannot afford, serikali ya Kenya itakulipia. Wale wako na uwezo watalipa kulingana na uwezo wao, so that kila mtu aende hospitalini atibiwe na kurudi nyumbani bila kuhangaishwa,” he reiterated
The President acknowledged the concerns raised by members of the clergy earlier this week, expressing his willingness to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure the smooth implementation of programmes for the benefit of all citizens.
“Kwa yale yalisemwa na viongozi wetu wa dini, mimi nimewaambia we will work with every stakeholder to ensure that the universal healthcare coverage succeeds,” he stated
“I want to promise you, vile niko na imani, tutahakikisha huu mpango (wa SHA) unafaulu na kuhakikisha kuwa kila mtu anapata matitabu vile tumepangia kama serikali,” said the President
To resolve some of the issues affecting the smooth rollout of the Social Health Authority, Ruto confirmed that funding issues are currently being addressed.
“Tumemobilize resources kama serikali. We have paid Ksh 5 billion, we are paying another Ksh.2 billion this week and we are going to make sure that all our public facilities are funded so that they can rollout our Universal Healthcare Coverage na kila Mkenya afikiwe,” he said
