Ruto lauds Community Health Promoters for enhancing SHA registration

President William Ruto has commended Community Health Promoters (CHPs) for their vital role in registering millions of Kenyans under the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Speaking on Sunday, the President praised Nairobi County in particular, where over 1.9 million residents have been successfully enlisted into the SHA system.

He urged those yet to register to do so, emphasising the importance of data-driven health service delivery.

“My appeal to the others who have not been registered is to make a point of enlisting,” Ruto said.

“Registration helps the government understand how many patients visit each hospital, dispensary, or health centre, so we can allocate the right amount of medicine, equipment, and healthcare personnel.”

Ruto reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that no Kenyan is forced to sell property or livestock to pay for medical treatment.

“Healthcare should not be a privilege for the wealthy—it must be accessible to all Kenyans,” he emphasized.

According to data released by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, over 22.1 million Kenyans have registered with SHA as of May 10, with 18.5 million considered active.

The system has seen an average of 50,000 new registrations daily, alongside 25,000 means testing assessments, generating an estimated Sh20 million in daily payments.

Additionally, more than 3.6 million people have transitioned from the now-defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the new SHA scheme.

Of the total registered, those aged 18–35 are 6.3 million, 36–55 (5.31 million), under 18 (4.38 million) and over 55 (2.5 million). 

Mombasa County leads in registration rates, with 695,494 people enrolled, representing 58.4 per cent of its target population of 1.19 million.

It is followed by Bomet County: 448,806 registered (51.2 per cent of target population) and Nyeri County: 380,042 registered (50.1 per cent of target population)

Ruto emphasised that continued collaboration with community health promoters and county governments will be key in achieving full national coverage.

“This is how we build a healthcare system that leaves no one behind,” he stated.