Gachagua's secret tapes; Shif chaos; courtroom bias

Today we are covering SHIF’s chaotic rollout disrupting healthcare, Laura Coates exposing courtroom biases in Just Pursuit, and Gachagua’s poisoning drama. Happy reading!

THE BIG TAKE

SHIF's shaky start puts strain on system

The government rushed to launch the Social Health Insurance Fund (Shif) despite the fact that Safaricom's electronic system is still under development. Hospitals are now demanding cash payments due to technical problems with the Sh104.8 billion Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System (IHTS), with only five of its 17 components working. Developers confirmed the system requires two years to build but were pressured to launch early. The technical glitches have disrupted vital services, including dialysis and chemotherapy. Officials say the early rollout was aimed at boosting revenue, with a target of Sh133 billion a year compared to NHIF's Sh78.8 billion.  

Laura Coates: Courtroom truths, broken justice

Before becoming a CNN analyst, Laura Coates built her career as a federal prosecutor. In her memoir, Just Pursuit, she recalls witnessing systemic failures firsthand. In one case, a teenage girl testified against her abuser while facing sentencing by a dismissive judge. Prosecutors downgraded the sexual offences to misdemeanours, fearing a jury wouldn't believe the delayed report. Shockingly, the judge shopped for shoes online during the victim's testimony and later dismissed the case based on the girl's appearance. Coates shows how bias within the justice system sabotages victims' experiences, revealing the harsh realities of courtroom justice.  

Gachagua's betrayal, tapes and impeachment drama  

On August 30, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua stayed at the Acacia Premier Hotel in Kisumu, unknowingly under surveillance. Gachagua now claims that National Intelligence Service agents entered his room in what he interpreted as an assassination attempt. Secretly recorded conversations from that night were shared with President William Ruto, leading to tensions between the two leaders. As efforts to impeach Gachagua gained momentum, religious leaders attempted peace talks, but the divisions remained. Although Gachagua apologised to Ruto, he insisted that it was not an admission of guilt. Parliament proceeded with the impeachment, intensifying the political intrigue. The unfolding drama highlights a crumbling alliance at the highest levels of power in Kenya.

Quick hits

• Sports: Valary Olesia: I beat depression, blindness to pursue education and excel in sports.

• Politics: Rigathi Gachagua bombshell: My impeachment followed two assassination attempts.

• Politics: Ruto warning amid deputy's standoff.

• Gender: The runaway brides of Narok: Three girls, three daring escapes, three reimagined lives.

• Politics: Kioni and Waititu pledge Mt Kenya backing for Kalonzo Musyoka.

• Counties: City Hall on the spot after another illegal building collapses in Kahawa West.

• Lifestyle: Why audiences can’t get enough of emotional film on Laikipia.

COUNTY ROUNDUP

1. Kenyan fishermen: Our four months of horror in Madagascar jail
2. Governors turn to senators for help in Sh20bn dispute
3. How a stolen phone exposed gang robbing students at Laikipia University
4. Murang'a police station raid: Three suspects arrested
5. I am supposed to be dead, says ‘miracle’ crash survivor

Today's newspapers

The Daily Nation leads with 'Gachagua's bombshell'. Business Daily leads with 'How CBK broke law in Sh14bn currency tender' sale blocked'. Taifa Leo leads with 'Walitaka kuniua'.

Cartoon of the day

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Rigathi Gachagua on health care: 'If I had been 20 minutes late, it would have been different'

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