DJ Shiti Criticises SHA and Public Hospitals During Father’s Funeral

ELDORET, Kenya — Kenyan comedian and content creator DJ Shiti, whose real name is Steven Oduor Dede, has criticised the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA) system and the state of public hospitals following the death of his father, Richard Ndege Mbanda, after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer.

Speaking during his father’s funeral, the entertainer recounted the challenges his family faced while seeking medical care over six years, using the experience to question whether Kenya’s healthcare financing system was adequately supporting patients with chronic and specialised medical conditions.

DJ Shiti said families dealing with illnesses such as cancer and kidney failure often face significant financial and emotional pressure, particularly when treatment involves specialised equipment and repeated hospital visits.

He argued that patients seeking treatment in public facilities sometimes encounter difficulties accessing services despite being registered under the government’s health insurance framework.

DJ Shiti Questions SHA Implementation

During his address to mourners and local leaders, DJ Shiti alleged that some patients were informed that their SHA benefits had been deducted or were unavailable, leaving families to seek alternative arrangements for treatment.

He questioned whether the system was delivering the support patients had been promised.

“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?” he said.

His remarks reflected concerns about patients being referred elsewhere for specialised procedures or being asked to raise additional money before receiving care.

The comedian called on the government and relevant health authorities to address implementation challenges and ensure that patients understand their coverage and can access the services available to them.

Concerns Over Public Hospital Services

DJ Shiti also criticised the condition of public healthcare facilities, arguing that patients and their families were often left struggling to secure timely treatment.

In a particularly sharp remark, he questioned the quality of services available in public hospitals, saying that mortuaries appeared to function more reliably than other hospital departments.

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

He further expressed concern about the risks faced by families who depend on public hospitals for emergency and specialised medical services.

“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.

The comments were his personal assessment of the difficulties his family had experienced and his broader concerns about public healthcare. They do not, by themselves, establish the quality or performance of every public hospital in Kenya.

Praises Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Medical Team

Despite his criticism, DJ Shiti acknowledged the efforts of medical staff at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, thanking the team for supporting his father during his illness.

His appreciation highlighted the distinction between his concerns about the wider healthcare system and the work of individual healthcare professionals who cared for his father.

The entertainer’s account also drew attention to the demands placed on medical teams treating patients with long-term illnesses, particularly where care requires specialised equipment, sustained monitoring and coordination between healthcare providers.

Calls for Accountability and Healthcare Reforms

DJ Shiti urged the government and health authorities to address what he described as loopholes in SHA implementation and improve accountability within public hospitals.

His remarks add to public debate surrounding access to healthcare, the costs of specialised treatment and the effectiveness of Kenya’s transition to the SHA system.

For patients living with chronic illnesses, reliable access to treatment and clear information about insurance coverage can be essential to managing ongoing care.

The concerns raised at the funeral underscore the importance of transparent benefit arrangements, effective referral systems and timely access to specialised services.

As Kenya continues implementing its healthcare financing reforms, DJ Shiti’s account has brought renewed attention to the experiences of families navigating the public health system while caring for seriously ill relatives.