The government has moved to expand healthcare access for security officers after enrolling more than 138,000 officers and their families into a new medical scheme under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The officers, drawn from the National Police Service (NPS) and Kenya Prisons Service (KPS), will now benefit from the newly introduced Usalama Cover.
The announcement was made during the official launch of the scheme, where Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the move is part of efforts to improve healthcare access and support the country’s push towards universal health coverage.
Duale said the government is starting to see real progress in the health sector. So far, over 30 million Kenyans have registered under SHA, with billions of shillings already paid out in medical claims.
He pointed out that a similar transition was done earlier for teachers, with over 400,000 of them and their families successfully moved to the Mwalimu Cover. According to him, the same system is now being used to support police and prison officers.
For years, many officers have faced challenges accessing quality healthcare under previous insurance schemes. Duale said the new cover is meant to change that by offering more reliable and complete services.
The Usalama Cover will cater for a wide range of health needs, from basic treatment to specialised care. In some cases, patients may even be referred abroad for further treatment if needed.
The CS also said the government will not require patients to pay extra money at the point of service, as the system is designed to cover the full cost of care.
In addition, to make the scheme efficient and curb fraud, digital technology will be used to keep track of services. Healthcare providers have also been asked to remain honest and maintain high standards as the scheme takes off.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the achievement shows what can be done when different government agencies work together.
He added that the Ministries of Health and Interior, alongside the police and the health authority, played a key role in making the programme a reality.
The government is now planning a nationwide awareness campaign to help officers understand how to use the new cover and get the services they need.
