Social welfare programs were the crown jewels of the Kenya Kwanza campaign. But two years later, the Social Health Authority (SHA) transition and the Hustler Fund rollout have become symbols of public frustration and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is now openly challenging how these programs are being run.
SHA was introduced as a replacement for NHIF with promises of efficiency, transparency, and improved coverage. Instead, hospitals report delayed payments, patients face service denials, and health workers complain of administrative confusion. The DP argues that the government rolled out SHA prematurely, prioritizing deductions over system stability.
Doctors and clinical officers say the transition has left many facilities underfunded. Reimbursement delays have forced private hospitals to suspend services for members on government schemes. Gachagua says this is a “humanitarian crisis in the making” and demands an audit of SHA management.
He also attacked the Hustler Fund — once a celebrated symbol of bottom-up empowerment. Many beneficiaries complain that loan limits are too low, interest accumulates quickly, and the fund lacks training support for small traders. Critics say it has morphed into a microloan platform rather than a genuine financial empowerment tool.
While Ruto maintains that both programs are revolutionary, Gachagua insists they are failing because of poor implementation, corruption risks, and lack of accountability. He says Kenyans are losing trust in government promises, and the credibility gap is widening.
The political implications are enormous. Social welfare programs directly affect millions of low-income households — the core of Kenya Kwanza’s original support base. If frustrations deepen, the ruling coalition risks losing its grassroots legitimacy.
Gachagua’s criticism signals a shift: he is positioning himself as the protector of citizens increasingly disillusioned with government policies. With the 2027 elections approaching, social programs may become the ultimate battleground — determining whether the government retains the trust of the hustler nation or faces a popularity collapse.