Wiper leader Kalonzo labels SHA a scam, links Ruto’s health plan to controversial Adani JKIA deal cancelled by court

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has sensationally linked the Social Health Authority (SHA) to the controversial Adani Group deals, which had earlier sought to renovate Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

Speaking on an interview, Kalonzo dismissed SHA as a scam, claiming it was designed to benefit foreign players at the expense of Kenyans.

“Remember this SHA thing was part of the Adani deals along with the JKIA, which we stopped in court until Ruto had to withdraw it in Parliament. It’s part of that scam,” Kalonzo said.

He alleged that hidden interests were driving the push for SHA, with foreign entities set to pocket benefits from its rollout. “If you followed the story of the Adani deals, you’d have realized that a telco had the software to run SHA. Somebody in Dubai is supposed to get a cut,” he added.

The former Vice President also faulted the government for mishandling the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHA, arguing that reforming NHIF would have been a better approach.

“Our thinking is very clear. We have called this whole thing about SHA a scam, and it is coming out to be exactly that. NHIF could have been reformed, and Kenyans would not be struggling the way they are,” he said.

Kalonzo further pledged that if elected in 2027, he would push Parliament to amend the SHA Act and revert to NHIF with reforms. “The bottom line is the stealing of public funds. It’s like these people are in a hurry to steal everything,” he claimed.

His position, however, contrasts with that of ODM leader Raila Odinga, who recently said Kenya missed a chance to transform JKIA into a world-class hub. Raila noted that the Ksh.260 billion Adani deal would have modernized the airport under a 30-year lease agreement, but it was eventually cancelled.

President William Ruto later scrapped the Adani contracts after U.S. authorities accused Gautam Adani, chair of the Indian conglomerate, of paying Ksh.30 billion in bribes to secure energy contracts in India.