The Anglican Archbishop of Kenya, Jackson Ole Sapit, has raised deep concern over the current state of the nation. Ole Sapit warns that the country’s economic situation is dimming hopes for many citizens.
While speaking to the media, Ole Sapit said the prevailing financial difficulties, coupled with delays in critical government disbursements and a growing healthcare crisis, are putting immense strain on ordinary Kenyans.
He called on the government to urgently address the economy, describing it as a source of frustration for households and institutions alike.
According to him, the escalating cost of living and a sluggish financial environment have left families struggling to meet their daily needs, while also undermining the delivery of essential services. He emphasized that the state of the economy is not just an abstract concern but one that affects livelihoods, education, and health outcomes across the country.
Ole Sapit urged the government to hasten the release of funds to schools, noting that delays are jeopardizing learning and disrupting the academic calendar.
The ACK clergyman expressed concern that without timely disbursements, schools cannot function effectively, leaving both teachers and students in precarious situations.
He said the stability of the education sector is vital to the nation’s future, and any disruption has long-term consequences for the next generation.
On the crisis surrounding the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and the Social Health Authority (SHA), he pointed out that the two entities are currently engulfed in challenges that have left private hospitals unable to serve patients due to unpaid bills.
The failure to settle debts owed by the state has forced many private healthcare providers to suspend services, cutting off access to critical care for countless Kenyans.
He also stressed that the suspension of health services is not just an institutional problem but a humanitarian one, as it directly endangers lives. He urged the SHA to put its house in order and prioritize payments to hospitals.
Clearing the outstanding arrears, he said, would enable health facilities to resume normal operations and guarantee patients continued access to life-saving treatment.
“The government must take deliberate action to ensure hospitals are paid what they are owed. This is the only way to sustain health services and prevent further suffering among citizens who rely on these facilities,” he stated.