President William Ruto has unveiled Social Health Authority (SHA) cover that will target 2.2 million vulnerable Kenyans.
Ruto made the announcement on Friday, September 19, 2025, at Statehouse Nairobi, stating that select Kenyans set to benefit from the government sponsorship, will receive free healthcare services.
According to the Head of State, the SHA Sponsorship Programme, is a significant step in fulfilling his administration’s pledge of providing affordable healthcare for all Kenyans.
“We made an irrevocable commitment to deliver Universal Health Coverage for all Kenyans, regardless of their economic status. Today, we have taken another significant step in fulfilling that pledge,” Ruto noted.
“Through the new SHA Sponsorship Programme, more than 2.2 million vulnerable Kenyans will now access medical care free of charge,” he added.
The programme which is valued at Ksh 4.4 billion, will provide primary care services including consultations, blood pressure checks, malaria tests, and chronic disease management, for patients who cannot afford health insurance premiums.
President Ruto however urged governors and lawmakers to contribute additional resources to boost the programme. “This is not about the government alone, it is a collective mission,” he said.
He further added that the government will continue identifying more vulnerable citizens and enroll them into the initiative.
On his part, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale praised the government’s efforts in successfully transitioning from a costly healthcare system to a people-centred one.
“Under primar healthcare, any Kenyan can walk into a facility, receive outpatient treatment and go home without paying anything, because primary healthcare is fully funded by your government,” Duale said.
The SHA initiative replaces the now defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), and is part of Kenya Kwanza administration’s push for Universal Health Coverage.
