Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has appealed to residents of the Mt Kenya region to separate healthcare access from political contestation, arguing that ongoing debates around the Social Health Authority (SHA) risk denying communities essential medical services.
In a statement posted on X, the outspoken legislator said opposition to SHA in parts of Mt Kenya was driven more by political messaging than by facts on the ground.
She claimed many residents declined to register after being convinced the programme was dysfunctional, even as other regions enrolled and accessed funded healthcare services.
Wamuchomba linked the low uptake to the growing reliance on public fundraisers to cover hospital bills, saying families are left exposed when preventable or manageable conditions go untreated.
She maintained that basic healthcare services, including screening for diabetes and hypertension, are already available under SHA.
Without naming individuals, the MP accused leaders opposed to President William Ruto’s administration of publicly discrediting SHA while privately remaining registered and compliant with the scheme.
She described this as a contradiction that leaves ordinary citizens bearing the cost of political rivalry.
The lawmaker also took issue with narratives urging voters to endure current hardships until the 2027 General Election, when a new government could supposedly improve service delivery.
According to Wamuchomba, such messaging unfairly delays access to healthcare, education, farming support, youth programmes, and infrastructure development.
“I realised I was not honest,” she said of her earlier stance, adding that changing her position attracted criticism and accusations of betrayal.
She defended her shift as a decision grounded in the realities facing constituents who need immediate medical care.
Her comments come as the government continues to push for nationwide registration under SHA following the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
While authorities argue the new system will strengthen universal health coverage, scepticism remains in some regions over implementation and affordability.
Wamuchomba urged residents to prioritise practical solutions over political loyalty, insisting that access to primary healthcare is a right guaranteed to all Kenyans, regardless of their views on the current administration.