Jane Kagiri explains why Laikipia residents stand behind SHA
Laikipia Woman Representative Jane Kagiri has underscored the widespread support for the Social Health Authority (SHA) in her county, attributing its popularity to the tangible healthcare benefits it provides.
Speaking on a local media station on March 31, 2025, Kagiri shared how she has been educating residents about SHA and its role in financing healthcare through taxpayer contributions.
“I visited a place called Muruku and I told my people, that when you buy bar soap, fuel a bodaboda, or make any purchase, you pay tax. That tax is what funds programs like SHA,” she explained.
Kagiri recounted a powerful testimonial that resonated with the community when a woman shared her experience of having surgery covered by SHA.
“As I was explaining to them why they needed to register for SHA, a woman raised her hand up and said ‘This leg of mine was operated and charged Ksh300,000 and SHA paid for me,'” she narrated.
“I told my people, ‘Clap for yourselves because it is you who paid for this lady’s treatment.’ They laughed and applauded,” Kagiri added.
According to Kagiri, this revelation prompted attendees to reflect on their own healthcare security.
“The question I want for you to ask yourselves is if it was you who was in this situation, would you be equally covered?” Kagiri posed to the crowd, noting that the answer would be negative without SHA registration.
Challenges in SHA Registration
Despite the growing support, the Woman Representative identified the Means Testing assessment as the main barrier to wider enrollment.
She explained how the current evaluation system can lead to inaccurate classifications of economic status.
“In Nanyuki, there is a place where the floor is concrete, walls are concrete but the roofing is mabati. When you answer those questions, it is assumed you are a very rich person. What they have forgotten is this person is renting and maybe sharing that room with someone else,” she illustrated.
Conversely, she pointed out cases where individuals living in mud houses but owning large herds of cattle are categorized as poor, despite their financial capability.
“You will also find somebody will be asked what kind of housing they are living in and they say mud houses, yet maybe the person has ten thousand herds of cattle, so he is assumed to be poor by virtue that he is living in a mud house,” she stated.
Proposed reforms
Kagiri urged the government to review SHA registration requirements and introduce a standardized flat-rate contribution, similar to the previous NHIF model.
“As long as you are not employed as long as you are elderly, let’s have a flat rate for everybody and that way people will not have the challenge of registering,” she stated.
Despite concerns regarding the means testing process, Kagiri emphasized that Laikipia residents remain largely satisfied with SHA and recognize its positive impact on providing accessible healthcare.
“Save for the means testing, my people are happy with SHA,” Kagiri stated.
