President William Ruto today launched the “Lipa SHA Pole Pole” initiative during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations at Raila Odinga Stadium, marking a major step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Kenya.
The new model, under the Social Health Authority (SHA), allows informal sector workers to pay for health insurance in affordable instalments. Integrated with the Hustler Fund through an Insurance Premium Financing product, it aims to improve access to healthcare while deepening financial inclusion.
Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale hailed the initiative as a bold move toward equitable healthcare, pledging full support from the Ministry to realise its goals.
The President also announced a shift from the Managed Equipment Services model to the new National Equipment Supply Programme (NESP), which will see counties receive medical equipment based on their specific needs through a fee-for-service model.
This year’s Madaraka Day, themed “Harnessing Kenya’s Blue Economy for Sustainable Growth,” also highlighted the government’s broader agenda to strengthen key sectors, including health, under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).