On May 14, 2025, the Health Cabinet Secretary appeared before the Senate Plenary to address questions from Senators regarding the involvement of personnel from the Ministry of Interior and National Administration in supporting the registration of Kenyans into the Social Health Insurance Fund and facilitating access to benefits under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The Cabinet Secretary highlighted the pivotal role played by the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) in the successful implementation of the Social Health Authority programs. He pointed out that during the first phase of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) rollout, NGAOs were instrumental in registering 12 million households across the country. This effort reflects a significant milestone in the government’s commitment to expanding access to healthcare services. As of May 12, 2025, registration numbers had grown substantially, reaching over 22 million individuals enrolled in the program.
Further details were provided on the structure of the Social Health Authority, which is composed of three distinct funds designed to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage. These include the Primary Health Care Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illnesses Fund. Together, these funds ensure that beneficiaries have access to a full spectrum of healthcare services spanning preventive care, health promotion, curative treatments, rehabilitative services, and palliative care. This structure aims to create a seamless and inclusive health coverage system that addresses a wide range of medical needs for Kenyans.
In his briefing, the Cabinet Secretary also elaborated on the broader reforms currently underway in the health sector, all aimed at accelerating the implementation of Universal Health Coverage. These reforms are part of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), a key government initiative focused on socio-economic development by empowering communities and improving access to essential services such as healthcare. The health sector reforms are designed to streamline processes, enhance service delivery, and leverage technology to improve health outcomes across the country.
Accompanying the Cabinet Secretary during the briefing were the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards and the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Health Agency. Their presence underscored the multi-sectoral approach being taken to address the challenges within the health sector and the integration of digital solutions to support health service delivery.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasized the collaboration between various government agencies and officers in ensuring the successful registration of citizens into the social health insurance scheme. This partnership is crucial in reaching the diverse populations across Kenya, including those in remote and underserved areas. The active participation of the NGAOs has not only facilitated increased registration numbers but also contributed to creating awareness and educating the public about the benefits and processes involved in accessing health insurance services.
Moreover, the Universal Health Coverage program under the Social Health Authority is positioned as a transformative step towards achieving equitable health access for all Kenyans, irrespective of their socio-economic status. By providing financial protection against health-related expenses and guaranteeing access to quality health services, the program aims to reduce the burden of out-of-pocket healthcare costs, which often push families into poverty.
The ongoing reforms also include strengthening healthcare infrastructure, improving the capacity of health workers, and enhancing regulatory frameworks to ensure quality and efficiency in service delivery. The integration of digital health technologies is expected to play a significant role in improving health information systems, facilitating better data management, and enabling real-time monitoring and evaluation of health programs.
In conclusion, the briefing to the Senate highlighted significant progress in the implementation of the Social Health Authority programs and the critical role of inter-ministerial cooperation in achieving the government’s health sector goals. With over 22 million individuals registered so far, the country is on a promising path towards realizing universal health coverage, improving health outcomes, and ultimately enhancing the quality of life for all Kenyans.
