Kenya’s universal healthcare vision is fast becoming a reality, with Sh43 billion already disbursed under the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA), president William Ruto has said.
In just eight months, the government’s flagship health reform has transformed the nation’s access to quality care, providing fully covered treatment to 4.5 million Kenyans and registering an average of 50,000 new users daily.
The SHA, launched to replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), marks a significant departure from the past.
President Ruto said the scheme guarantees free emergency, critical, and chronic care at all government-funded facilities through the Emergency, Critical and Chronic Illness Fund—eliminating the long-standing requirement for upfront payments during medical crises.
“No Kenyan should choose between life-saving treatment and their dignity. SHA is not just a reform—it’s a revolution in how we care for one another,” said Ruto.Targeting the Informal Sector
A major breakthrough has been achieved in the informal sector, which comprises nearly 80% of Kenya’s workforce and has historically lacked reliable health coverage.
To date, 1.7 million informal households have enrolled and paid into SHA—the highest uptake ever recorded in a single year.
To sustain this momentum, the government has introduced Lipa SHA Polepole (Pay Slowly), a flexible payment model allowing informal sector workers to contribute weekly or monthly.
Jointly administered by the Ministries of Health and Cooperatives, the scheme aims to ensure uninterrupted coverage without financial hardship.
SHA also ensures free access to primary healthcare through the TAIFA Care model, which covers all public and SHA-accredited facilities.
The government has heavily invested in this rollout, adopting an output-based financing model that reimburses facilities only for services rendered. This results-based approach promotes efficiency, accountability, and ensures no patient is turned away for lack of funds.
Revamping Medical Infrastructure
The transformation extends to Kenya’s medical infrastructure. Through the National Equipment Supply Programme, the government is moving away from the controversial Managed Equipment Services (MES) model.
The new system involves direct procurement of medical equipment tailored to county-specific needs, with payments made on a fee-for-service basis—improving transparency and service quality.
The government is calling on all Kenyans to enroll in SHA to help end the cycle of families forced to sell assets or take on debt to afford medical care.
“This is more than a policy—it’s a commitment to every Kenyan that their health is a right, not a privilege for a few,” the government affirmed.Part of a Broader Transformation
SHA is a key pillar in a broader national transformation agenda, which includes reforms in housing, agriculture, and education. Together, these efforts aim to build a more equitable and dignified society.
“The evidence is clear: strategic public investment and citizen participation are driving radical, positive change,” the statement read. “The SHA is not only saving lives—it is building a healthcare system for the future.”
