Orange Democratic Movement Leader Raila Odinga has hinted that he will be making a major political announcement on Friday, February 28.

Odinga is set to grace the ODM’s 20th anniversary, which will be held in Busia county.

Speaking after holding a consultative meeting with ODM members in Migori and Homa Bay, the former Prime Minister said he had been given a go ahead to make a major political announcement.

“I have listened to the leadership of Homa Bay and they have given me an endorsement to go ahead with the consultations before announcing our way forward on Friday, February 28, in Busia," Odinga said.

He had earlier in the day held a similar consultation meeting with members from Migori county.

But even as the country awaits his announcement of the next political step after failing to win the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship position, the ODM leader noted that there are several challenges facing the country that need to be addressed.

He singled out increased abductions which he noted should not be happening in the country at this age.

“This is major threat to the development of our country alongside inequity in resource distribution," Odinga said.

Meanwhile, he also called on the government to relook into the country’s health scheme – Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

According to the ODM leader, the fund needs to be relooked into as it has brought more problems to the people.

“Many patients are suffering because of the introduction of SHA, which needs to be resolved so that people can get proper healthcare," Odinga noted.

"We have seen doctors, nurses, lecturers, and even students crying over problems that can be resolved," he added.

He also dismissed affirmations from the government that the new health scheme was working. According to Odinga, there is still room for the Ministry of Health to improve on the system that replaced the National Health Insurance Fund.

“The government is telling the country that this system is working but it's not. If they properly implement it, it will bring a great change in our society,” he noted.

Previously, reported that Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa had joined other leaders and Kenyans in lamenting about Social Health Authority (SHA).

Barasa who is a vocal United Democratic Alliance (UDA) legislator admitted that SHA was having problems despite assurances from the state.

He said the new system had not yet addressed challenges that were in the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Latest data from the Ministry of Health shows that over 15 million Kenyans had registered for the new health scheme but only a fraction were actively making contributions.

Source: TUKO.co.ke