Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale launches enhanced SHA registration campaigns accompanied by Uasin
Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii in Eldoret City on Thursday /MATHEWS NDANYIThe government has revved up SHA registration campaigns in North Rift counties following a directive by Health CS Aden Duale.
Ministry of Health officials in the region have been directed to team up with counties and ensure more Kenyans are enrolled with SHA.
Duale at the same time said the ministry will, in two weeks, gazette health services that are not available in the country.
He said the move will help Kenyans avoid the costly expenses of seeking treatment abroad for ailments that can be handled locally.
“We will not have situations where patients just go to India or other places at a heavy cost because doctors have recommended so,” he said.
Hospitals in India or over places handling Kenyans will have to enter into contracts with the Social Health Authority in order for the patients to benefit from necessary assistance, if need be.
Duale said the referral system had been exploited by the individuals to make commissions using the plight of patients.
“Those who will go for foreign treatment will have to pay for themselves because we have most of the services locally available,” he said.
He said the listing of the health services available and not available locally will be done by an independent body known as the Benefits and Tariffs Panel based at the University of Nairobi
Duale, who was spoke in Eldoret during a visit to roll out SHA registration campaign, at the same time said he would meet with the Council of Governors to finalise the absorption of UHC staff to permanent and pensionable terms.
He said the health workforce was now stable, with no more strikes or disputes over CBAs.
The CS, who was with Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, expressed confidence that SHA would eventually work smoothly despite the current challenges during its roll out.
He said in less than two years since its launch, SHA has achieved far-reaching successes and is helping to save the lives of many Kenyans.
So far, over 26 million Kenyans have enrolled with SHA and the government is stepping up campaigns to ensure no one is left out.
Governor Bii reaffirmed that no one will be left behind in the journey towards universal healthcare in the county and other regions.
He urged residents to register and fully embrace the transformative health scheme.
He directed all health facilities in the county to establish SHA desks and registration tents to ensure every citizen is reached.
He further emphasised that his administration will cover SHA contributions for the elderly and persons with disabilities, in line with his Nguzo Kumi manifesto.
Bii highlighted the county’s progress, noting that by the end of the last financial year, Uasin Gishu had claimed Sh210 million from SHA, of which Sh172 million has already been paid out, with Sh37 million still pending.
“Under our Nguzo Kumi manifesto, we have placed healthcare at the centre of development. Taifa Care is a new dawn—because healthcare is not a privilege,” he said.
CS Duale re-affirmed the government’s commitment to making healthcare a right for all Kenyans—not a privilege for a few.
He commended the progress made under Governor Bii’s leadership and stressed that no Kenyan should suffer financial ruin due to illness.
He lauded the sweeping health sector reforms under the Taifa Care initiative, supported by three major financial pillars: the Social Health Insurance Fund, the Primary Health Care Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund.
These, he said, are transforming how healthcare is financed, accessed, and delivered nationwide.
“We are building a unified, inclusive, and responsive health financing system—one that serves every Kenyan, regardless of where they live or how they earn,” Duale said.
So far, over 26 million Kenyans have enrolled in SHA, including 515,612 residents from Uasin Gishu, representing an impressive 44.3 per cent coverage rate in the county.
Among these, 192,000 individuals have already undergone means testing, with the average monthly contribution set at Sh650.
Duale said that in counties like Uasin Gishu, where informal and seasonal employment is common, the SHA model is proving to be a game-changer.
“Every single day, more than 2,000 Kenyan households are enrolling in SHA. That tells us the people are ready—we just need to keep up,” Duale added.
Bii said a total of 208 health facilities in Uasin Gishu have been onboarded under SHA, including 115 public and 80 faith-based and private facilities, ensuring access across both urban and rural areas.
Duale announced that by October, as SHA marks its one-year anniversary, the government will have invested sh Sh58 billion through SHIF and Sh7.8 billion via the Primary Health Care Fund.
In Uasin Gishu alone, the investment already stands at Sh3.13 billion.
However, the CS issued a stern warning against malpractice in healthcare service delivery.
“Let me be clear: any facility—whether public, private, or faith-based—that continues to co-charge for services covered under SHA is committing a criminal act,” Duale warned.
Speaking at the event, Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni emphasised the need to strengthen the referral system through the deployment of community health promoters.
She noted that the journey toward universal health coverage is not just underway—it is accelerating, and called on all Kenyans to take part.
The delegation also toured key upcoming health projects, including the proposed 2,000-bed Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kiplombe, Ziwa Level 5 Hospital, the Eye Unit at Huruma subcounty hospital, and the Mama Rachel Ruto Maternity Hospital.
