Government Scales Up Universal Health Care with Social Health Authority Rollout.
The Government has stepped up its commitment to universal health care by announcing that it will pay Social Health Authority (SHA) contributions for 1.5 million Kenyans who cannot afford to do so. President William Ruto said the move ensures that vulnerable households are not left behind as the country transitions to a more equitable health financing model. He underscored that SHA is a transformative programme designed to guarantee every Kenyan access to affordable and quality medical care.
According to the President, SHA contributions are set at 2.75 per cent of income, a progressive system that makes the scheme fair and sustainable. He revealed that governors and Members of Parliament will soon be engaged to support an additional one million Kenyans, further broadening the safety net. Unlike the former National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which mainly catered for formal workers, SHA is designed to serve all Kenyans, including those in the informal sector and rural areas.
President Ruto highlighted that SHA contributions will be directed to specific hospitals instead of county administrations, ensuring facilities receive timely funding to deliver services. This reform, he explained, is aimed at enhancing accountability while enabling hospitals to provide consistent, quality care. The scheme is comprehensive, covering a wide range of benefits and protecting families from the financial strain of medical bills.
The President emphasized that no Kenyan should be denied outpatient services at public health facilities. He cautioned dispensaries, health centres, and sub-county hospitals against charging patients, noting that the government has already allocated KSh21 billion to cover these services through SHA. This provision, he said, will strengthen primary health care, reduce out-of-pocket expenditure, and ease congestion at referral hospitals.
To accelerate universal coverage, President Ruto called on grassroots leaders to spearhead SHA registration campaigns in their communities. He stressed that awareness and enrolment are crucial for the success of the scheme, especially in reaching households that have traditionally lacked access to insurance. He framed health care as a right for every Kenyan, not a privilege for a few.
The President pointed to Turkana County as an example of how health reforms will be integrated with broader development. Beyond SHA enrolment, the government is upgrading Lodwar County Referral Hospital and investing in rural health infrastructure to ensure remote areas benefit equally. These interventions, he said, are part of a nationwide effort to create a more inclusive and equitable health system.
In conclusion, President Ruto said the rollout of SHA marks a historic step toward fulfilling the promise of universal health care. By committing public funds to cover the vulnerable, partnering with leaders to expand reach, and strengthening primary and referral health services, the government is laying the foundation for a healthier, more productive nation. “Healthcare is not the preserve of a few; it is for all Kenyans,” he affirmed.
