NAIROBI – President William Ruto has publicly come to the defence of his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, regarding the Linda Mama maternal health programme, asserting its foundational importance for subsequent reforms in Kenya's maternal healthcare sector. Speaking at Umma University on Wednesday, September 30, 2025, President Ruto urged Kenyans to acknowledge and appreciate Kenyatta's contributions through the initiative.

President Ruto emphasised that the Linda Mama programme, launched under the Jubilee administration, represented a significant stride forward in ensuring access to maternal healthcare services. He highlighted its role in establishing a framework upon which further improvements and expansions could be built, directly addressing any criticisms or debates surrounding its efficacy or legacy.

Ruto's Endorsement of Linda Mama

“Let me come to the defence of my former boss, the former president Uhuru, to defend him that we should be magnanimous to him. He, at times, led our country, and the Linda Mama programme was a great programme. We developed it under the Jubilee administration, under the leadership of President Uhuru,” President Ruto stated, unequivocally aligning himself with the programme's positive impact.

This statement by the Head of State is particularly noteworthy given the often-strained political relationship between the two leaders following the 2022 general election. Ruto's commendation of a key Uhuru-era initiative suggests a potential softening of political stances or a strategic move to unite various factions under a common national development agenda, particularly in critical sectors like health.

Impact on Public Debate and Policy

The Linda Mama programme, officially known as the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) Linda Mama, was introduced in 2016 with the aim of providing free maternity services to all Kenyan mothers. Its primary objective was to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates by ensuring that financial barriers did not prevent expectant mothers from accessing essential antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care.

• Increased Access: The programme significantly increased the number of women delivering in health facilities, moving away from traditional home births, which often carried higher risks.
• Reduced Costs: It alleviated the financial burden on many low-income families, making quality maternal care accessible to a broader segment of the population.
• Health Outcomes: While comprehensive long-term data is still being analysed, initial reports indicated a positive trend in maternal and child health indicators in areas with high programme uptake.

Analysts suggest that President Ruto's endorsement could significantly influence near-term public debate and the execution of current health policies. Stakeholders, including healthcare providers, civil society organisations, and beneficiaries, are now urging for greater clarity on the future trajectory of such programmes, including timelines for enhancements, associated costs, and necessary safeguards to ensure their sustainability and effectiveness.

Future of Maternal Healthcare in Kenya

The current administration has consistently prioritised universal healthcare coverage (UHC), with maternal health being a cornerstone of this agenda. President Ruto's remarks could signal a commitment to not only continue but also expand upon the foundations laid by programmes like Linda Mama, potentially integrating them more deeply into the broader UHC framework.

The focus will likely shift towards addressing persistent challenges such as:

• Quality of Care: Ensuring that increased access does not compromise the quality of services provided.
• Geographic Disparities: Bridging the gap in access and quality between urban and rural areas.
• Sustainability: Developing robust funding mechanisms to ensure the long-term viability of free or subsidised maternal health services.
• Comprehensive Services: Expanding the scope of services to include more extensive family planning, nutrition, and early childhood development interventions.

The President's defence of Uhuru Kenyatta's legacy on Linda Mama could foster a more collaborative environment for policy formulation and implementation, potentially bridging political divides for the greater good of public health in Kenya. It reinforces the idea that national development initiatives, especially those with tangible benefits for citizens, should transcend political cycles and be built upon incrementally.