Kenya’s journey toward universal health coverage has reached a critical milestone, with over 23 million Kenyans now registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA) since the rollout of TAIFA Care in October 2024.
According to President William Ruto, the country is now reaping the benefits of one of the most ambitious healthcare reforms in its history.
Addressing the nation during the Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay, President Ruto declared, “SHA is working.”
With an average of 50,000 new registrations daily, the uptake signals growing public trust in the revamped health care model.
Since its inception, SHA has disbursed KSh 43 billion in claims to healthcare facilities, and 4.5 million Kenyans have already received treatment fully covered under the scheme.
For the first time, citizens can access free emergency services in all government-funded hospitals, courtesy of the Emergency, Critical, and Chronic Illness Fund, effectively ending the era of mandatory hospital deposits in emergencies.
Recently, Health CS Aden Duale entered into a partnership with the Aga Khan University Hospital to offer critical surgeries to SHA subscribers.
In a groundbreaking move to expand inclusivity, especially for workers in the informal sector, the government has introduced Lipa SHA Pole pole—a flexible, progressive contribution system.
Through partnerships with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs, mobile network operators, and financial institutions via the Hustler Fund, Kenyans can now remit annual health contributions in daily, weekly, or monthly installments, ensuring continued coverage without financial strain.
President Ruto reaffirmed the government’s commitment, stating that primary health care services will be fully funded, and accessible at no cost in public and SHA-contracted facilities.
“TAIFA Care is universal in both word and deed,” he said. The reform is being hailed as a landmark achievement, not just in numbers, but in real-life impact on ordinary Kenyans.
