Pauline Njoroge defends Linda Mama amid govt push for Linda Jamii
Jubilee Party Deputy Secretary General Pauline Njoroge has come out to defend Linda Mama, an initiative that offered free antenatal checkups, free delivery, immunisations for children, and coverage for any complications during delivery.
In a statement on Saturday, September 27, 2025, Pauline Njoroge defended the programme, which was introduced by former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, insisting that its impact is widely recognised in the country.
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She argued that the health initiative offered various services for free, which she wondered if was the same case for Linda Jamii, which was introduced by President William Ruto’s administration under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
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“Linda Mama offered free maternity services, including antenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care for mother and child,” Pauline’s statement read in part.
“Are these services being offered for free by this Linda Jamii we have heard of today?” she posed.
Uhuru’s take
Pauline Njoroge’s statement came a day after Uhuru took a jibe at the Kenya Kwanza administration, accusing it of undoing gains made under his government.
Speaking during the Jubilee Party National Delegates Conference on Friday, September 26, 2025, the former head of state pointed to the scrapping of the Linda Mama programme, which offered free maternal healthcare.
Uhuru argued that the programme was replaced with untested schemes that have left many Kenyans suffering.
Watch: Uhuru criticises replacement of Linda Mama with untested schemes
“Today, many of the gains we had in the past have been eroded, Linda Mama and others have been replaced by new, untried and untested schemes. And while we wait for these experiments to work, Kenyans suffer and our progress is retarded,” he stated.
Ruto allies hit back
However, Ruto’s allies were quick to respond to Uhuru’s sentiments by popularising the Linda Jamii programme.
Speaking on Saturday, September 27, 2025, Kindiki emphasised that the Kenya Kwanza administration launched Linda Jamii, which covers the entire family.
Highlighting the evolution of the Linda Mama initiative into the SHA programme, the DP explained that the benefits of the scheme had expanded beyond maternity care.
Other rattled Ruto allies defended Linda Jamii, maintaining that it was superior to Linda Mama.
“Linda Mama ilikuwa inashughulika na akina mama wajawazito pekee. Sasa tumeipanua kupitia SHA na inalinda wamama, wazee, vijana na watoto. Tunaita Linda Jamii kwa sababu inalinda kila mmoja, sio mama pekee,” Kindiki stated.
