Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has launched a questionable health insurance programme called Kang’ata Care, which gives Sh10,000 cash handouts to newlyweds and new parents. While he says the aim is to support “vulnerable families”, the move has raised concerns about wasting taxpayer money and sending the wrong message to the public.
Critics argue that this plan could encourage higher birth rates, which goes against Kenya’s National Population Policy for Sustainable Development, launched in June 2024. This national policy focuses on managing population growth, improving access to family planning, and promoting gender equality. It also aims to improve the quality of life by focusing on maternal and child health and encouraging informed decisions about family size.
Kang’ata’s cash-for-babies idea may look generous, but it could undermine these national goals. It seems to encourage more births at a time when the country is trying to control population growth in a sustainable way. The Constitution may not clearly state which level of government handles population policy, but it is widely seen as a national issue and not a county function.
Letting counties like Murang’a create their own population policies could make it harder for the national government to plan for things like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Handing out money for marriages or childbirth may also influence people to make life-changing decisions for the wrong reasons.
Looking at data, Murang’a doesn’t have a unique population problem. In 2019, it had about one million people, and projections for 2025 estimate a population of just over 1.1 million. About 40% of residents are under 15, showing a young population, which is typical across Kenya. Also, migration to Nairobi has left some areas with more women, children, and older people.
If the goal is to help poor families, the county should consider better-targeted support. Instead of linking help to marriage or childbirth, support could go to households below a certain income threshold. The governor could also invest in school meal programmes or educational supplies for needy children.
Governor Kang’ata is a smart leader, and he should know that his policy risks encouraging unintended behaviours. County-level programmes should align with national development goals, especially when it comes to sensitive issues like population and family planning.
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