Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has sparked a heated public debate after suggesting that Kenyans should cut down on sugar and use the money saved to pay their Social Health Authority (SHA) contributions.
Passaris made the remarks while discussing the importance of personal responsibility in supporting government programmes. She argued that households could save several hundred shillings by reducing their sugar purchases and redirect the money towards healthcare contributions.
She also linked excessive sugar consumption to health concerns, urging Kenyans to adopt healthier lifestyles while meeting their obligations under the country’s new health insurance system.
Passaris under fire over sugar comments.
However, the comments quickly drew criticism, particularly on social media, with many Kenyans questioning whether basic household expenses should be sacrificed to meet healthcare contributions.
Critics argued that the suggestion overlooks the financial pressure facing many families, who are already struggling to meet the rising costs of food, housing, transport and education. Others questioned why citizens should be asked to find savings from their household budgets when SHA is a government-mandated healthcare programme.
The remarks have therefore reignited a wider debate about the financing of universal healthcare in Kenya and the balance between individual responsibility and government responsibility.
For some, Passaris’ message was a call for healthier lifestyles and greater personal participation in the country’s healthcare reforms. For others, it appeared to shift the burden of financing public healthcare onto ordinary Kenyans.
The controversy comes as SHA continues to replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), with the government seeking to expand access to healthcare while encouraging Kenyans to register and make regular contributions.
While cutting excessive sugar consumption can have health benefits, the political reaction to Passaris’ comments demonstrates how sensitive the issue of healthcare financing remains.
What began as advice on changing a cup of tea has quickly become a much broader conversation about the cost of living, healthcare, personal responsibility and whether Kenyans feel they are getting sufficient value from their SHA contributions.
