Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and other leaders in
Wajir.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale plants a tree at Wajir
High school.Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has expressed concern over the low registration numbers under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) in Kenya’s North Eastern counties.
CS Duale urged local leaders and stakeholders to intensify efforts to boost enrolment.
Speaking in Wajir on Saturday, July 12, 2025 during the 60th anniversary of Wajir Boys High School, Duale lamented that despite government efforts to roll out the programme nationwide, uptake in the region remains worryingly low.
“As a region, we are not doing very well,” said Duale.
“Mandera is leading with 215,000 people registered, followed by Wajir with 181,000. My own county, Garissa, is trailing with 161,000. This is very sad.”
The Health CS attributed the slow uptake to several factors, including nomadic lifestyles, low awareness levels, lack of identification documents, and limited sensitisation efforts in remote communities.
“Many of our people are constantly on the move in search of pasture and water, making it hard to reach them consistently. Others simply don’t know the benefits of SHIF, or they lack IDs needed to register,” he said.
Duale called on all stakeholders—national government administrators, community health promoters, religious leaders, civil society, and elders—to mobilise their communities, raise awareness, and support registration efforts.
“Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is not just a moral imperative. It is a strategic investment in our nation’s health and future. Every Kenyan deserves access to affordable and quality healthcare,” he added.
He also used the occasion to encourage parents to take advantage of the ongoing national immunisation campaign for Measles-Rubella and Typhoid.
“So far, 3.5 million children have received the Measles-Rubella vaccine out of a target of 6.5 million, while 12.1 million have been vaccinated against Typhoid, with a target of 19 million,” said Duale.
“In the next 10 days, please visit your nearest health facility—public or private—and ensure your children are vaccinated.”
Mandera Senator Ali Roba praised Duale’s leadership, saying the ministry had shown remarkable improvement since he took office.
“Having been a governor, I know firsthand how challenging health management can be. In a short time, you’ve brought discipline and direction, especially in rolling out SHA. It’s a game changer,” said Roba.
Last month, Duale led the distribution of more than 1,000 tablets to frontline health workers in Garissa.
The devices will be used to digitise healthcare services under the TaifaCare programme and support the onboarding process of the Social Health Authority.
Saturday’s school event, organised by the Wajir High School Alumni Association, brought together former and current students, teachers, principals, and community leaders.
Alumni showcased strong support for their alma mater through generous contributions and mentorship, celebrating the school's legacy of producing leaders across government, academia, and business.
Dignitaries present included Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Jehow, Garissa Woman Representative Udgoon Siyad, MPs Aden Daud (Wajir East), Dekow Mohamed (Garissa Township), Bashir Abdullahi (Mandera North), Haji Bare (Tarbaj), Mohamed Adow (Wajir South), Ibrahim Saney (Wajir North), Mandera Senator Ali Roba, and PS for Special Programmes Ismail Madey.
