Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has sparked debate after urging Kenyans to reduce or abandon sugar consumption and redirect the money saved towards their Social Health Authority (SHA) contributions. Speaking during an interview on Radio Generation, Passaris said households could save about KSh400 to KSh500 spent on sugar and instead use the money to support their healthcare contributions. Passaris also urged Kenyans to take greater personal responsibility for government programmes, arguing that citizens should actively support initiatives intended to improve their welfare. She linked her call to both healthcare financing and lifestyle choices, saying reducing sugar consumption could help households meet their statutory health obligations while lowering the risks associated with excessive sugar intake.
The remarks have attracted criticism online, with some Kenyans arguing that the suggestion places the responsibility for financing healthcare on households without adequately considering the broader cost-of-living pressures they face. Passaris also raised concerns about the health effects of excessive sugar consumption.
During the interview, she associated high sugar intake with conditions including diabetes and other chronic illnesses. She also made a claim that cancer “feeds on sugar”, a statement that requires medical context and should not be interpreted as meaning that eliminating dietary sugar prevents or cures cancer. Her central argument was that reducing unnecessary sugar consumption could have both health and financial benefits. She used her own preference for unsweetened black coffee as an example while encouraging listeners to reconsider how they spend money on added sugar.
The comments have renewed discussion over the affordability of SHA contributions and the financial pressures facing households. Critics have questioned whether the KSh400–KSh500 figure is a realistic saving for all families and whether cutting spending on sugar can meaningfully address the wider cost of healthcare contributions. Household spending varies considerably, and money allocated to sugar is only one part of a family’s food budget. Families also have to meet expenses such as rent, school fees, transport, food and utilities.
The latest remarks come after Passaris has previously raised concerns about the implementation of SHA while supporting the broader goal of expanding healthcare coverage. In August, she questioned whether some healthcare facilities were receiving SHA reimbursements on time. Her claims prompted President William Ruto to seek clarification on the specific amounts involved, while Karen Hospital subsequently disputed claims that it had not been paid by SHA. The latest comments have consequently placed Passaris back at the centre of debate over the health financing system. Her argument is that households can make small lifestyle and spending changes to prioritise healthcare. Critics, however, say discussions about SHA contributions should also account for household incomes, the cost of living and the effectiveness of the health system itself.
For now, Passaris’ remarks remain a call for Kenyans to reconsider their spending and sugar consumption, rather than a change in the legal requirements governing SHA contributions.