The successful implementation of the social health insurance fund will relieve legislators of the burden of holding fund drives to assist those struggling with medical bills, according to Principal Secretary for Interior, Dr. Raymond Omollo.
Dr. Omollo stated that many Kenyan families have been driven into poverty after exhausting their savings and even selling their property to care for their ailing members, a situation that the new fund, dubbed Taifa Care, seeks to address.
He was speaking at the Nina Primary School grounds in North Alego location, Siaya County, during an event organised by Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, where government services were brought to the grassroots.
“This programme is not just helping the common mwananchi; it is also helping those who are privileged,” said the PS, who was accompanied by several members of Parliament, including Samuel Atandi (Alego – Usonga) and his Nyando counterpart, Jared Okello.
The PS urged Kenyans to register in large numbers to ensure the programme’s success.
During the event, legislators Atandi and Okello disagreed over the issue of alleged abductions, with the Alego – Usonga MP suggesting that some reported cases could be a ploy to tarnish the government’s image.
According to Atandi, some cases were not genuine and were being exploited by government opponents to gain political mileage.
“I beg to differ with some of my friends regarding the question of abductions. Some of these cases are merely propaganda,” said Atandi, who, however, called on the government to investigate the genuine ones and put a stop to the vice.
Nyando MP Jared Okello, who spoke earlier, called on the government to address the issue, which he claimed had caused immeasurable pain for families.
Okello stated that the constitution, under the Bill of Rights, grants Kenyans freedom of speech and expression, which must be respected.
He urged President Ruto to act swiftly and nip the issue of abductions in the bud by leading a probe into the incidents.
“If the abductions are carried out by foreigners, action must be taken to stop it, as we are a sovereign nation,” said Okello.
The two-day event saw several government departments, including the Social Health Authority, State Law Office, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and National Registration Bureau, provide their services to the residents of North Alego.
People were able to apply for and obtain birth certificates, national identity cards, police clearance certificates, and even apply for foreign jobs with the National Employment Authority.
