Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has dismissed claims by Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura that Kenyans who defaulted on Hustler Fund loans will be denied access to healthcare under the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Duale said the remarks were misleading and insisted that all Kenyans are entitled to SHA services as long as they make the required payments. “The information being circulated is inaccurate.

All Kenyans have a right to access SHA services, regardless of their engagement with the Hustler Fund,” he said.

His response followed Mwaura’s earlier statement on June 23, where he warned that failure to repay the Hustler Fund could affect eligibility for SHA benefits. “If you took the Hustler Fund and failed to pay, there are mechanisms to ensure you do not benefit from SHA services. Six billion shillings is a lot of money,” Mwaura said.

He also urged Kenyans who are not defaulters but cannot afford SHA contributions to borrow from the Hustler Fund to pay for health cover and repay the loans in instalments.

Mwaura encouraged registration through the SHA “Lipa Pole Pole” plan, which he said was already ongoing.

Explaining the closure of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), Mwaura cited an unsustainable debt load that made the former scheme unviable. He clarified that SHA would offer uniform benefits to all who are registered and paying, whether on a monthly or annual basis, and that new members making minimum contributions would also be covered.

Mwaura also addressed the planned nationwide protests scheduled for June 25, dismissing them as a plot to incite chaos and disrupt normalcy. “Today, I offered clarification regarding the security situation and the planned demonstrations. I firmly stated that there will be no protests on June 25. It will be a normal working day. Anyone wishing to commemorate the day is free to do so from the comfort of their home,” he said.

He added that police are expected to protect all citizens and must carry out their duties without political influence.