DJ Shiti slams Kenya's 'broken' healthcare system, faults SHA at father's funeral

Addressing mourners and local leadership at the funeral, the popular entertainer launched a passionate critique against the government's Social Health Authority (SHA) framework and the systemic failures plaguing public hospitals across the country.

Reflecting on his family's six-year ordeal managing his father's terminal illness, DJ Shiti highlighted the severe strain chronic illnesses like cancer and kidney failure place on ordinary Kenyan families. 

He noted that while well-off citizens with high-tier private insurance plans manage to access decent medical care, the majority of Kenyans seeking assistance in public referral facilities are left stranded by malfunctioning systems and unexpected out-of-pocket costs.

According to the actor, patients arriving at public facilities are frequently told that their SHA benefits have been deducted, only to be redirected to specialised machines or told to raise additional funds from family members before receiving crucial treatment. 

Expressing his deep frustration at the current state of public medical facilities, he remarked, "Na SHA inakata kabisa, inakuletea message kuwa SHA imekata. Tena wanakubadilishia Kiswahili: 'Chukua huyu mtu wako mpeleke kwa mashini...' Sasa jamani serikali, tunataka tujue: Hii SHA inafanya kweli ama ni mchezo?"

The comedian further claimed that Kenyan mortuaries operated better than regular hospitals, comparing both institutions with the level of services rendered. 

"Na jambo la pili, kitu ambayo inafanya kazi vizuri kwa hospitali ni mochari. Apart from mochari, hizi vitu zingine hakuna kitu ambayo inaendelea," he stated. 

Emphasizing the dire state of care, Shiti warned of the immense risks facing patients seeking emergency or specialised help in public institutions. 

"Mimi ukiniuliza, public hospital zimekuwa ni kama yaani ukipeleka mtoto wako public hospital saa hizi ni kama unampeleka aende afe. Ukweli, uongo?" he asked mourners. 

Despite his scathing review of several public medical facilities, DJ Shiti extended appreciation to the medical team at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, praising their dedicated efforts over the years in supporting his late father. 

However, he called on the government and relevant health authorities to urgently address systemic loopholes in SHA implementation and restore accountability in public hospitals.