Ruto says 22 million Kenyans have registered with SHA so far
Over 22 million Kenyans have enrolled with the Social Health Authority (SHA), with an average of 45,000 new registrations daily, President William Ruto has announced.
Speaking during the official handover of disease surveillance vehicles to each of our 47 county governments on Friday, May 9, 2025, Ruto said that SHA is settling hospital bills promptly for registered Kenyans.
“The progress we have made in disease surveillance, emergency response, and diagnostic capacity has formed a strong foundation for the successful rollout of the Universal Health Coverage plan and reinforces our commitment to long-term health system resilience. Since we launched Taifa Care in October 2024, over 22 million Kenyans have enrolled with the Social Health Authority (SHA), with an average of 45,000 new registrations daily, a clear indication that Kenyans are embracing our universal healthcare delivery model,” Ruto stated
“We have allocated sufficient resources to fully fund primary healthcare, ensuring all registered Kenyans can access primary healthcare services free, fully paid for by the SHA. Public health facilities at Levels 2, 3, and 4, along with SHA-contracted hospitals, should not charge Kenyans as SHA is settling payments promptly.”
Ruto also says that the recruitment process within SHA is nearly complete, with a strong focus on securing qualified professionals.
He said that the staff from the defunct NHIF have been given priority in the process while those not selected for positions within SHA will be reassigned to other roles within the Public Service.
The president says the government has embarked on a nationwide initiative to improve the availability of essential medicines in our health facilities, ensuring that Kenyans can access the medication they need at health facilities nearest to them.
“To support this, KEMSA is being repositioned to play a central role in strengthening the medical supply chain. This is part of our broader commitment to lowering healthcare costs and enhancing access to quality care. Additionally, the Government is leveraging digital technologies to make healthcare delivery paperless and more efficient within the next six months, a transformation already underway in six counties,” he added.
“I urge all Kenyans to register with SHA. Let us move away from the burden of harambees and WhatsApp group fundraisers for medical bills. Together, we are building a sustainable, dignified healthcare system that serves everyone without discrimination.”
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Francis Muli
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