President William Ruto has maintained his stance, calling out the judiciary over what he termed as sabotage to his administration’s development agenda.
Speaking during the launch of the Kiptogot-Kolongolo Water Supply Project in Endebess Constituency Trans Nzoia county on Wednesday, January 17, Ruto called out the court for suspending the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
The president said that the case filed in court against the SHIF plan is greatly affecting the health sector in the country.
What Ruto said about corrupt judiciary officials
Ruto further criticised his opponents, for undermining the plan which would greatly benefit the citizens.
“I have so many disagreements with so many people. These people have come together and gone to court to stop the new SHIF; so that they can continue to steal the money from NHIF. This bill was passed by Parliament by Members of Parliament.
“These people should let us deliver to the people. We cannot allow a few individuals accepting bribes in courts and paying out lawyers, to stop our agenda to the people of Kenya,” Ruto lamented.
In November 2023, the court suspended the implementation of the Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), after a case filed by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacist and Dentist Union (KMPDU).
In the petition, KMPDU argued that the government has gone ahead with the implementation of the social health insurance act, without engaging stakeholders to resolve the contentious issues.
The doctors’ union taking issue with section 26(5) of the SHIF Act which provides that; “Any person who is registerable as a member in this act shall produce proof of compliance with the provisions of this Act; On registration and contribution, as a precondition of accessing public services from the national government, county government or national and county government entities.”
The president had cited massive corruption in the current National Insurance Health Fund (NHIF). According to Ruto, the new SHIF will bridge the gap in access to health services for all Kenyans, calling out the court to stop the suspension of its implementation.
Asking the court to stop the suspension on Wednesday last week, the government’s lawyer Fred Ngatia said patients are suffering after the suspension of the NHIF pre-authorization scheme.
The high court is set to give a ruling on the implementation of SHIF on Friday 19th of this week.
Ruto slam Raila for warning against talks with Judiciary
The head of state further criticised the leaders of the opposition wing, following their move to oppose negotiations between him and the judiciary to resolve the existing hostility between the department and the government.
The President criticized Azimio leader Raila Odinga and other opposition leaders for opposing talks between him and Chief Justice Martha Koome.
He confirmed he is ready to negotiate with the department to face the controversy between the government and the judiciary in the country, terming the opposition move as shameful and selfish.
“I hear the opposition leader has said, we should not have a seat down with the judiciary. While things were not in his favour, I agreed to have talks with him. These cartels have run to leaders for protection.
“These people opposed to any conversation among Kenyan institutions so that we can face out challenges that are facing development are the ones who have been recruited by cartels and crooks so that they can continue to benefit to the disadvantage of the people. We will not allow them,” Ruto further stated.
Among the court cases include the contentious affordable housing project and the SHIF. The leaders from the ruling party joined their leaders in bashing the court for thwarting developments that would help Kenyans.
On Sunday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said he will lead in providing evidence against judges accused of corruption.
Gachagua said that one of the judges was involved in the case about the source of his wealth.