President William Ruto’s government came under heavy fire on Sunday after Kenyans on X, formerly Twitter, exposed the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) for failing to reduce hospital costs.
Outrage spread online after popular Twitter influencer Asamoh shared an analysis of hospital bills, revealing that SHIF only pays 9% of medical expenses, leaving struggling patients to cover 91%.
In his viral post, Asamoh stated, “I have analysed like seven bills. SHIF is paying 9% while patients are forced to pay 91%. It is like SHIF was designed in this manner. It can’t be a coincidence for all the bills.”
William Ruto delivers a keynote speech during a past event. Photo: Tuko Source: Instagram
To back up his claims, he shared three detailed hospital bills that sparked national outrage. In the first case, from a total bill of KSh 133, 199, SHIF paid just KSh 13,440 (9%), while the patient bore the burden of KSh 131,199.
Another bill of KSh 802,012 saw SHIF contribute KSh 26,880, leaving the patient to settle KSh 775,132.
The third case showed SHIF paying only KSh 8,960 from a bill of KSh 95,870, forcing the patient to cover a massive KSh 86,910.
Davis Chirchir chatting with President William Ruto during a past event
Other users accused the government of deceiving Kenyans, saying SHIF had been marketed as a solution to skyrocketing healthcare costs but has instead proven to be a burden on the sick and needy.
The exposé has intensified calls for the Ruto administration to fix the system, with many describing it as “rogue, careless, and cunning.”
Kenyans are demanding answers, and the government now faces immense pressure to deliver on its healthcare promises amid growing frustration over failed reforms.
