NAIROBI, Kenya — Okiya Omtatah has criticised President William Ruto over remarks dismissing claims that Sh50 billion was lost from the Social Health Authority (SHA), arguing that the comments undermine the authority of the country’s constitutional oversight institutions.
In a statement posted on X, the Busia senator said the president’s dismissal of the findings raised concerns about respect for the independence of the Office of the Auditor-General.
“The Office of the Auditor General is a constitutional office, not a department of State House,” Omtatah said.
“Dismissing a report that questions the loss of Sh50 billion from SHA undermines the Constitution itself.”
Dispute over alleged Sh50 billion loss
The dispute follows recent public debate surrounding claims that billions of shillings may have been lost from the national health insurance system.
Omtatah argued that the issue involves public funds collected from taxpayers and therefore requires full accountability.
“Sh50 billion is not a clerical error. It is public money collected from the sweat of Kenyans,” he said.
“To brush aside such findings insults every Kenyan who struggles to access healthcare while public resources disappear.”
Ruto rejects claims
President Ruto has dismissed the allegations, describing them as propaganda.
Speaking in remarks aired by Citizen TV Kenya, the president said the government continues to make large payments to hospitals under the country’s new health insurance framework.
“Forget the propaganda that we lost Sh50 billion,” Ruto said.
“This week alone we are paying Sh16.2 billion for SHIF. We are paying the highest amounts of money to any hospital that has ever been paid under any administration.”
The president was referring to payments under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which replaced the former National Hospital Insurance Fund as part of ongoing health sector reforms.
Constitutional oversight concerns
Omtatah maintained that any audit findings from the Auditor-General should be treated with seriousness and addressed through constitutional processes.
“You cannot swear to protect the Constitution on Tuesday and tear it up on Wednesday because the truth hurts,” he said.
The senator has frequently challenged government actions in court and parliament, often citing provisions of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 related to transparency, accountability and public finance oversight.
