Ruto Seeks Big Changes in Kenya’s Health System
President William Ruto is pushing for major improvements in Kenya’s healthcare sector, and he is now looking to Japan for support.
Speaking on Wednesday, August 20, during the Kenya Investment Forum in Yokohama, Japan, the president asked the Japanese government to partner with Kenya and help boost the country’s universal health coverage plan.
Ruto emphasized that Kenya wants collaboration with Japan especially in improving diagnostics, research, and technology to help manage diseases better in the country.
He also said that using advanced technology could help eliminate wastage and increase efficiency in how health funds are used, making the healthcare system more transparent and effective.
While addressing the delegation, President Ruto said Kenya values its growing relationship with Japan because it is based on strong trade, investment, and development support that benefits both nations.
He expressed optimism that the cooperation between the two countries would continue to grow and bring more positive changes.
“I am delighted to be with you as our partnership with Japan advances with reinvigorated energy, expanding in scope, deepening in substance, and delivering tangible outcomes to our peoples,” he stated.
The president’s appeal comes at a time when Kenya’s healthcare system is under a lot of pressure. The country continues to face challenges such as limited resources, struggles in health insurance, and a shortage of medical workers.
Many Kenyans are still unhappy with the state of healthcare services, despite efforts by the government to improve the situation.
One of the biggest concerns has been the new Social Health Authority (SHA), which has replaced NHIF. A number of citizens have protested that the new health insurance scheme is too costly and does not respond well to people’s needs.
Critics say that although it aims to support universal health coverage, it may end up hurting low-income families.
To fix some of these problems, the government introduced several solutions, including the SHA “lipa pole pole” option, which allows people to pay their contributions in smaller, manageable installments.
This payment method was created to solve the issue of irregular premium payments and help more Kenyans stay covered.
While speaking on June 1, during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations, President Ruto said that the lipa pole pole arrangement would allow people to pay yearly SHA contributions in flexible amounts—whether monthly, weekly, or even daily—based on what they can afford.
“It ensures families maintain continuous health coverage without financial strain, while simultaneously promoting the sustainability of the health insurance fund,” he noted.
Overall, President Ruto believes that with the right support from international partners like Japan, Kenya can build a stronger, more efficient, and more inclusive healthcare system that meets the needs of all citizens.
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