Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba has called out political leaders who publicly criticise the Social Health Authority (SHA), daring them to first deregister themselves and their families from the programme before condemning it in public forums.
In a statement shared on her official X account on Sunday, February 1, 2026, Wamuchomba accused some MPs and senators of politicising healthcare for electoral mileage while privately continuing to benefit from the same system they attack during funerals, churches, and political rallies.
“To the MPs and senators claiming that SHA is not working in funerals and churches, why don’t you deregister yourself and your family first, then we will believe you? Leaders provide solutions, not amplifying problems,” she wrote.
Her remarks come at a time when the SHA programme has faced mounting criticism from both opposition figures and some leaders allied to the government, who cite delays in hospital reimbursements, system failures, and limited access to services in certain facilities.
However, Wamuchomba cautioned against what she termed as blanket condemnation of the programme without offering workable alternatives.
While acknowledging that SHA is facing operational challenges, she maintained that discouraging Kenyans from registering was irresponsible and potentially harmful.
“Whereas I acknowledge that there are challenges with SHA systems, let’s not give it a blanket condemnation. Asking our followers and supporters not to register is retrogressive, yet we have not given an alternative,” she stated.
A day earlier, Wamuchomba had launched a scathing attack on politicians she accused of misleading residents of the Mt Kenya region into believing that SHA was not functional.
“Whereas I acknowledge that there are challenges with SHA systems, let’s not give it a blanket condemnation. Asking our followers and supporters not to register is retrogressive, yet we have not given an alternative,” she stated.
A day earlier, Wamuchomba had launched a scathing attack on politicians she accused of misleading residents of the Mt Kenya region into believing that SHA was not functional.
According to her, this narrative has led many people in the region to avoid registration, leaving them vulnerable when they need medical services.
“Watu wa Mlima, we were brainwashed that SHA is not working. We refused to register. Other parts of Kenya registered and have services paid for. You are left desperate, organizing fundraisers daily to cater for your sickly,” she wrote.
She further accused members of the United Opposition—whom she referred to as the “Wantam brigade”—of spreading misinformation for political loyalty while secretly ensuring that their own SHA accounts are active and updated.
Her comments quickly drew sharp responses from critics, including Mumias East MP Peter Salasya. In a rebuttal posted on X in the early hours of Sunday, Salasya dismissed the SHA programme as ineffective and questioned Wamuchomba’s defence of it.
“SHA is a scam. Mission hospitals don’t accept it, and the majority of private hospitals don’t accept that system. I thought you were wise,” Salasya wrote.
The exchange highlights the growing political debate surrounding SHA, which has become a contentious topic as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“Watu wa Mlima, we were brainwashed that SHA is not working. We refused to register. Other parts of Kenya registered and have services paid for. You are left desperate, organizing fundraisers daily to cater for your sickly,” she wrote.
She further accused members of the United Opposition—whom she referred to as the “Wantam brigade”—of spreading misinformation for political loyalty while secretly ensuring that their own SHA accounts are active and updated.
Her comments quickly drew sharp responses from critics, including Mumias East MP Peter Salasya. In a rebuttal posted on X in the early hours of Sunday, Salasya dismissed the SHA programme as ineffective and questioned Wamuchomba’s defence of it.
“SHA is a scam. Mission hospitals don’t accept it, and the majority of private hospitals don’t accept that system. I thought you were wise,” Salasya wrote.
The exchange highlights the growing political debate surrounding SHA, which has become a contentious topic as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
While some leaders argue that the system requires improvements and better implementation, others have questioned its overall effectiveness and accessibility across the country.
Wamuchomba’s stance places her among leaders urging caution in how the issue is discussed publicly.
Wamuchomba’s stance places her among leaders urging caution in how the issue is discussed publicly.
She insists that criticism should be accompanied by practical solutions and that leaders must avoid statements that could discourage citizens from accessing healthcare services.