The covered households will also be provided with a ‘last expense’ insurance cover that will pay the families Sh100,000 annually if they lose a member of the nuclear family and Sh50,000 if they lose their in-laws.
The programme, the governor said, has attracted a high number of applicants, with each of the polling centres receiving more than 200 applications.
“The original idea was to have 14,000 beneficiaries vetted by the committees and 6,000 recruited by the governor using his own mechanisms but with the high number of applications, I have decided to forward my names to the committees for vetting,” he said.
The governor said the programme will boost the county's economy as it will ensure residents are in good health and productive.
Kang’ata said the policy will help the county government streamline health services.
Many residents have been living with sicknesses due to financial constraints that make it impossible for them to access quality healthcare.
Health executive Fredrick Mbugua said the programme will bring to an end fundraising being conducted in the villages as families seek to clear hospital bills accrued by their relatives.
He said the county administration is targeting families being led by orphaned children, families living with their grandchildren, those with people with disabilities and those struggling with chronic illnesses.
“My call is for people to eat healthy foods and exercise to evade chronic illnesses that are on the rise,” Mbugua said.
He cited poor diet, alcohol and cigarettes as major contributors to morbidity.
