For Kenyan patients who have been struggling with rising medical costs, there is hope on the horizon as the government launches free health services under SHA, a new strategy that will help restore confidence in the Social Health Authority system.
The Ministry of Health has introduced a new type of public facility called Green Label Facilities, where patients will receive free health services through SHA without paying any out-of-pocket fees for essential primary health care.
This is a major change in the process of implementing the Social Health Authority (SHA), which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in October 2024 but has been under criticism for its restricted reach and functionality.
Free Health Services Under SHA to Be Provided at Green Label Facilities
Under the new system, the accredited Green Label Facilities will be allocated direct funding from the Primary Health Care Fund, which will enable them to offer their services for free to their patients. The services include consultation, diagnosis, lab tests, and medications.
Bomet Health Centre has emerged as the first health facility in the country to be awarded the Green Label Service Charter, making it a pilot site for the extension of free health services through SHA at the community level.
The government has indicated that the package will include disease screening, immunization, maternal and child health, family planning, and the treatment of common ailments. Chronic conditions such as diabetes will also be managed.
According to health officials, the Green Label initiative aims to show that universal health coverage can be made to work and help restore public confidence in SHA after several months of dissatisfaction.
Public Frustration Still Exists Regarding SHA Implementation
This comes at a time when Kenyans are expressing their discontent with the performance of SHA, which they claim has not lived up to their expectations since its inception. Patients have complained that the scheme only covers less than 15 percent of the actual cost of treatment, leaving families to bear the burden despite contributing to the scheme every month.
People with chronic ailments such as cancer and renal failure claim that essential tests and drugs are not covered. ICU hospitalization, they claim, gets refunds of as low as 10 percent, which is significantly lower than what was expected.
There are also concerns about private hospitals that have refused to treat patients from the SHA or asked for cash payments because of delayed reimbursements and outstanding claims from the government.
Government Defends SHA as Registration Numbers Rise
However, President William Ruto has defended the SHA model, saying it is functional and transformative despite the criticism it has received. He stated that over 25 million Kenyans have already registered and that the early implementation challenges are being addressed.
The President has continued to state that primary health care services in Level 1 to Level 3 health facilities are comprehensively covered, emphasizing that the provision of free health services under SHA is at the heart of the government’s universal health coverage policy.
The government has also taken steps to clean up the sector by closing down 1,000 fraudulent health facilities by August 2025 and committing to fully sponsor 2.2 million vulnerable Kenyans.
However, there are still challenges in accessing the coverage, including incongruent details in identification documents, mandatory upfront annual contributions, and overly complicated household registration requirements that have excluded many individuals aged 25 and above.
However, despite international support, including a KSh208 billion health cooperation framework signed with the United States in December 2025, President Ruto has admitted that the reforms have attracted public wrath.
With the implementation of the Green Label Facilities, all eyes will be on whether the free health services offered under SHA can bring some relief to the Kenyan people and help restore confidence in the health insurance system.
Read Also: SHA Dismisses Favoritism Claims, Says Cancer Treatment Approvals Are Fully Automated
