President William Ruto has come to the aid of celebrated Kikuyu Benga musician Kamande Wa Kioi’s family by clearing hospital bill arrears amounting to Sh2 million.
The gesture was made public by Murang’a Woman Rep Betty Maina, who reached out to the Head of State after the family struggled to settle the remaining amount following the hospitalisation of Kamande’s wife at Nairobi West Hospital.
“Mama Kioi, wife to Kamande Wa Kioi, was unwell but has now recovered at Nairobi West Hospital. SHA and the family were able to pay over Sh1.5 million, leaving a balance of Sh2 million. Special thanks to H.E. the President, Dr William Ruto — I reached out to him yesterday on behalf of the family, and today he gave me Sh2 million, which I have handed to the family,” she posted on Facebook.
Her post quickly gained traction online, sparking mixed reactions over the President’s gesture.
She, however, limited comments on the original post, effectively locking out public responses.
In screenshots of the post shared elsewhere, some Kenyans questioned the sustainability of such personal interventions.
“It’s only in Kenya where a president’s ‘insurance’ covers you better than the national health cover,” wrote Ngugi Muhia.
TG Marigi added: “Assuming they had no access to you, mheshimiwa, they would have suffered or sold their land to clear the bill. What is the essence of a health insurance that only pays 42% of the total bill?”
“How many of us can reach the President? We don’t need politicians’ mercy — we need a working system,” Ayub Njuguna wrote.
Stephen Karanja Mwaura questioned, “So SHA couldn’t even pay half? Ruto cleared the rest, yet he once said hospitals demanding payment should be reported to the police. What did he mean then?”
President Ruto has often drawn attention for his high-profile donations, frequently to churches and community projects, which he has described as acts of faith and generosity.
In March, he donated Sh20 million to the Jesus Winner Ministry and later pledged Sh100 million more toward church projects, followed by another Sh20 million to AIC Fellowship Annex in Eldoret.