Ruto Defends Linda Jamii, Calls It an Upgrade to Linda Mama
the new programme, operated through the Social Health Authority (SHA), not only increases coverage but also increases benefits for Kenyans.
Ruto, however, brushed these concerns aside, claiming that Linda Jamii does not eradicate past achievements but improves on them. Photo/ Courtesy
By Juliet Jerotich
President William Ruto has strongly backed his administration’s decision to phase out the Linda Mama initiative and embrace the Linda Jamii project. Speaking to the people of Kajiado County, Ruto said that the transition was not a matter of discarding what had been accomplished but of improving it so that it could provide a more holistic healthcare system. In his view, Linda Jamii transcends the care of mothers since it encompasses the entire family, and he is in sync with the government’s universal health coverage agenda.
He emphasized that while Linda Mama was responsible for conducting safe deliveries for the mothers, Linda Jamii reached further by extending coverage to prenatal, delivery, and postnatal care. “Linda Mama was good, but Linda Jamii is better. We are no longer focusing on the mother only; the whole family is now included in the package,” Ruto declared.
Drawing from Lessons in the Past
Ruto emphasized that the new program significantly borrows from experience gained under the Jubilee-managed Linda Mama initiative. He further noted that Linda Jamii is not abandoning what the previous regime did but building on experience. “We must be magnanimous enough to admit Linda Mama was a significant step in the right direction. It taught us something, and those lessons helped shape the wider Linda Jamii,” he described.
The President said the new programme, operated through the Social Health Authority (SHA), not only increases coverage but also increases benefits for Kenyans. The payments have been doubled, and beneficiaries are now expected to receive between Ksh10,000 and Ksh30,000.
Mitigating Criticism from Uhuru Kenyatta
The President’s statement comes in response to criticism from his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, who recently lashed out against the scrapping of Linda Mama. Uhuru argued that the Kenya Kwanza government was decimating established policies that had been successful. Ruto, however, brushed these concerns aside, claiming that Linda Jamii does not eradicate past achievements but improves on them.
Other Government Priorities
During his address at Umma University where he inaugurated the Ksh1.4 billion Dr Abdulrahman Al-Sumait Complex built to cater to over 10,000 students, Ruto also indicated other reforms aimed at deepening governance. Among the significant steps, he said, is the establishment of an e-procurement system aimed at putting an end to wastage and enhancing accountability in government spending.
He explained that the electronic purchasing system, made achievable through assistance from Indonesia, would assist in reducing government expenditure by up to 40%. “If a pencil costs Ksh5 in the market, the government shouldn’t pay Ksh15. E-procurement will end all that,” Ruto stated.
Commitment to Universal Health Coverage
Ruto concluded by reiterating that his administration remains committed to universal health care for all Kenyans. He stressed that Linda Jamii is a step in the right direction towards making healthcare accessible and affordable for entire families rather than just pregnant women.
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