In the ever-tumultuous arena of Kenyan politics, political analyst Herman Manyora has dropped a bombshell, claiming that the former Senior Economic Advisor Moses Kuria responded to the escalating Social Health Authority (SHA) scandal with a cryptic declaration: “The Mountain has no debt.”
Manyora, known for his sharp dissections of Mount Kenya politics, alleges this was Kuria’s way of signaling that the politically influential Central Kenya region owes no allegiance amid the health fund’s controversies.
The SHA, rolled out under President William Ruto’s administration to replace the defunct NHIF, has been mired in scandals since its inception. Allegations range from data ownership disputes, illegal deductions on contributions, to unpaid hospital bills crippling facilities like St. Mary’s in Mumias.
Critics, including MPs like Peter Salasya, have decried it as a “cartel playground,” with billions in claims unpaid, leaving patients in limbo. An audit earlier this year raised red flags over data security, prompting Kuria to defend the system vehemently on national TV, nearly storming out of a Citizen TV interview in March.
Manyora, speaking on his YouTube channel, interpreted Kuria’s remark as a veiled threat to the Kenya Kwanza government. “Kuria is reminding Ruto that Mount Kenya’s six million voters aren’t indebted to anyone,” Manyora said.
“This isn’t about personal loans recall Kuria’s own Sh54 million debt battle with Equity Bank but political capital. If SHA collapses, the Mountain won’t pay the price.” He linked it to broader rifts, including pushes to separate Kiambu from the Mt. Kenya bloc, dismissed by Manyora as divisive tactics.
Kuria, who resigned from Cabinet in July amid Gen Z protests but retained his advisory role, has been vocal on SHA’s imperfections.
In a March statement, he admitted, “SHA is not perfect,” but urged patience. His recent warnings about “dangerous political consequences” if the region feels sidelined echo Manyora’s analysis.
As SHA faces impeachment motions and public outrage, this allegation underscores the fragile alliances in Ruto’s fold.
Will the Mountain indeed declare independence from the scandals? Only time and the ballot will tell. For now, Kenyans watch as health and politics collide in yet another high-stakes drama.
By Newshub