President William Ruto has publicly defended former President Uhuru Kenyatta over criticism of the Linda Mama maternal healthcare programme, describing it as a transformative initiative that laid the foundation for Kenya’s ongoing healthcare reforms.
Speaking on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at UMMA University in Kajiado County, President Ruto urged Kenyans to appreciate past efforts that shaped the country’s progress. He credited Linda Mama, launched during Uhuru’s tenure, for expanding access to free maternal healthcare and serving as a stepping stone toward universal health coverage.
“Maybe in defence of my former boss… Linda Mama was a great programme. We developed it under his leadership and learned a lot from it,” Ruto remarked.
The Head of State explained that lessons from Linda Mama informed the design of the new Linda Jamii programme, which he described as a broader, more inclusive healthcare plan. Unlike its predecessor, Linda Jamii extends beyond delivery to cover prenatal and postnatal care, while also targeting entire households, not just mothers.
However, Ruto’s comments come amid growing criticism of the Social Health Authority (SHA), which replaced Linda Mama. Some critics argue that the transition has increased costs for pregnant women, contributing to rising maternal deaths.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, addressing Jubilee Party delegates on September 26, 2025, indirectly criticized SHA, warning against replacing proven programmes with “untested experiments.”
“Today, Linda Mama has been abandoned and replaced by new, untried, and untested schemes. While we wait for these experiments to succeed, Kenyans continue to suffer,” Uhuru cautioned.
He emphasized the importance of building on past successes rather than disregarding them, urging leaders to focus on real progress instead of rhetoric.
As Kenya navigates healthcare reforms under SHA, the debate over Linda Mama’s legacy and the effectiveness of its successors remains central to the country’s maternal and family health agenda.
