President William Ruto has dismissed media reports indicating that the Social Health Authority (SHA) has paid less money to hospitals as compared to the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Defending the new scheme, Ruto disclosed that the most NHIF ever paid in a year was between Sh22 billion and Sh25 billion.
He said since October 2024, SHA has paid a total of Sh56.4 billion, comprising Sh49.7 billion from the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and Sh6.7 billion under the Primary Healthcare Fund (PHF).
“In fact, by the first anniversary, SHA will have paid three times what NHIF ever paid in one year," he said.
"So I request the peddlers or narratives to check their facts because facts are stubborn and numbers tell the story more than words can."
SHA was officially rolled out in October 2024 to replace NHIF.
“This digital transformation is giving Kenyans faster, more transparent, and more dignified access to healthcare,” he said.
He announced that SHA has so far registered 25.2 million Kenyans and contracted over 11,000 healthcare providers, including hospitals, clinics, and health centres, nationwide.
Ruto made the remarks Thursday during the launch of the Sh200 billion National Equipment Service (NES) Project.
At the same time, he called on public health facilities not to charge Kenyans registered with SHA for medical services rendered.
The President said any charges beyond what is covered under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) should be claimed from the Social Health Authority (SHA) and not the patient.
“There are facilities in our counties that charge Kenyans for treatment or medicine when that service and the medicine is already paid for by the government of Kenya. It is not acceptable! Instead of charging citizens, hospitals should use the claim service to claim any arrears,” Ruto said.
"Flagged off during the event are 14 CT scanners, 2 ultrasound machines, 30 dialysis machines, and digital X-ray systems."
In the next two months, Ruto said they expect to deploy an additional 58 digital X-rays, 65 ultrasound machines, 19 CT scanners, 100 theatre equipment, and 100 laboratory systems, all under this new, innovative model.
He revealed that since June 2025, over 60,000 medical services have already been delivered in 29 health facilities across 18 counties under this project.
“We have installed vital equipment, including CT scanners, digital X-rays, ultrasound devices, and modern laboratory systems,” he stated.
