Thu Sep 19 06:10:30 UTC 2024: ## Kenya’s New Health Minister Sparks Outrage by Calling Safaricom a Government Agency

**Nairobi, Kenya -** Kenya’s newly appointed Health Cabinet Secretary, Deborah Barasa, has found herself in hot water after claiming that telecommunications giant Safaricom is a government agency. The controversial statement was made during an interview with Spice FM on Wednesday, September 18, where Barasa was discussing the government’s new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

Barasa attributed Safaricom’s role in the SHIF program, which includes ensuring its continuity and sustainability, to its status as a government agency. She further stated that the company has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government that outlines its responsibilities, including ensuring data connectivity.

However, Kenyans swiftly took to social media to express their disbelief, pointing out that Safaricom is a publicly listed company with a majority shareholder being Vodafone Group Plc, holding 39.93% of the shares. The government of Kenya owns a significant minority stake at 35%.

The statement has led to widespread criticism and confusion, with many questioning the Health Cabinet Secretary’s understanding of the telecommunications company’s structure. The incident has raised concerns about transparency and accountability in the government’s handling of the SHIF program.

This controversy comes amid a wider push by the Kenyan government to implement the SHIF, which aims to provide universal health coverage. The transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA) is scheduled to take effect on October 1st.

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