East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Falhada Iman
Dekow speaking to the press in Garissa town on Sunday. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
A viral encounter between Garissa Governor Nathif Jama and a patient at Garissa County Referral Hospital has reignited debate over the effectiveness of the Social Health Authority (SHA) programme, with East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Falhada Iman Dekow demanding answers on its implementation.
The incident, captured on video on Friday and widely shared on social media over the weekend, shows Governor Jama speaking to a sick woman who had sought treatment at the county referral hospital.
In the footage, the woman reportedly tells the governor that despite being enrolled under SHA, she had not received treatment. The governor is then seen handing her a Sh1,000 note before reportedly dismissing the effectiveness of the programme and directing her to seek help from a specific doctor.
The video has triggered widespread discussion online and drawn criticism from Falhada, who said the episode raises serious concerns about whether the government's flagship healthcare programme is working as intended.
“A Sh1,000 donation may be a kind gesture, but it does not address the real issue. Healthcare is a devolved function, and a sick resident needs access to treatment, not just charity,” she said.
Speaking in Garissa town, the EALA legislator questioned claims that SHA was not functioning in the county, arguing that residents should not be denied services under a programme being promoted nationally as a solution to healthcare challenges.
“What is troubling is the claim that SHA is not working in Garissa. If SHA is being promoted as a national healthcare solution, why should residents of any county be told it does not work there? Healthcare should not be selective, and public services should not be influenced by politics,” she said.
Falhada also challenged leaders to explain why residents continue to face difficulties accessing healthcare despite repeated assurances from the national government on the programme’s rollout and benefits.
“The biggest irony is that the person tasked with championing SHA appears to have done little to promote it in his own county. Residents cannot be expected to benefit from a programme they are not adequately informed about or encouraged to enrol in,” she added.
She maintained that leaders have a responsibility to ensure healthcare services are delivered fairly and effectively.
“When people are denied access to services they are entitled to, it raises serious questions about accountability and commitment to public welfare,” she said.
The controversy comes days after President William Ruto, during Madaraka Day celebrations, said more than 800,000 residents across the three North Eastern counties had joined SHA, citing the figures as evidence of growing confidence in the scheme.
The Garissa hospital incident has since fuelled a wider national conversation on whether SHA is living up to its promise of universal healthcare, with growing calls for clarity on its effectiveness at the county level.
East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Falhada Iman
Dekow speaking to the press in Garissa town on Sunday./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
