William Ruto Vows To Defy Court On Housing Levy, Social Health Insurance Fund: "Katiba Ndio Supreme"

• President William Ruto declared war against corrupt judicial officers, derailing his development agenda
• Ruto said the housing and Social Health Insurance Fund programmes are constitutional and no one should stop them
• The head of state maintained that a few individuals and cartels who used to embezzle NHIF funds are using the courts to fight back

TUKO.co.ke journalist Wycliffe Musalia brings over five years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

President William Ruto has maintained his stance against the court's decision on the housing levy and Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) implementation.

This followed court orders declaring the housing levy unconstitutional and halting the implementation of SHIF.

Why is Ruto dismissing court orders?

Speaking in Nyandarua on Tuesday, January 2, Ruto castigated his opponents for using the courts to fight his development agenda.

The head of state said that the programmes are constitutional and no one can stop their implementation.

"Let me ask you good people of Nyanduara... should I continue with the housing programme that will give 5,000 jobs or not? This is a programme we have approved, and it is in the constitution, which is supreme.

"The constitution stipulates that every Kenyan is entitled to the highest standards of healthcare. In our manifesto, we had plans for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and this has been approved by parliament. A few corrupt people are using the courts to stop these programmes and we will not allow it," said Ruto.

Ruto said his administration respects the courts but will not tolerate judicial tyranny and impunity.

The head of state maintained that the programmes under litigation are constitutional and were approved by the parliament and Kenyans who voted for the Kenya Kwanza administration.

"...these are a few people who have been squandering the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). 50% of NHIF is embezzled by a few hospitals, fake doctors, and cartels. We amended the law to protect this via the digital health bill, which is why they are fighting back.

Ruto's administration has until January 10 to collect housing levy, pending hearing of the case.

The High Court declared sections 84, 72 to 78 of the Finance Act null and void, stating that the housing levy amendment lacks a comprehensive legal framework.

Why court halted implementation of SHIF

In November 2023, Justice Chacha Mwita ordered the state to cease the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Act, which took effect on November 22.

Businessman Joseph Aura, in his petition to the court, claimed that the Act would violate Kenyans' privacy rights, exposing them to more online harm.

He termed the Act unconstitutional and a gross violation of human rights, as it would deny unregistered citizens access to government services.