Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale has lauded the impressive strides made by several counties in registering residents under the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA), with Mombasa, Bomet, and Nyeri emerging as front-runners.
During a visit to the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), CS Duale announced that the three counties had surpassed the 50 percent registration mark. Mombasa leads at 58.9 percent, followed by Bomet at 51.7 percent and Nyeri at 50.6 percent.
Other top-performing counties include Elgeyo Marakwet (48.4%), Kirinyaga (48.2%), Kisumu (44.8%), Lamu (44.3%), Kericho (43.7%), Embu (43%), and Tharaka Nithi (42.1%).
Duale revealed that over 22.3 million Kenyans have registered on the SHA platform, with nearly 4.9 million completing means testing to determine their tailored health benefit packages. He further noted that daily registration averages between 45,000 and 50,000 people, with a record 52,893 new sign-ups and Ksh 20.9 million in contributions recorded within a single day.
“The overwhelming response to Taifa Care reflects growing public enthusiasm and ownership. Kenyans are not just signing up; they are willingly contributing, underscoring the confidence they place in this reform,” said Duale. He urged those yet to enroll to do so promptly.
In the same address, the CS praised KUTRRH for successfully conducting its first kidney transplant. He termed it a significant milestone for Kenya’s healthcare system, pointing to the growing capacity for specialized medical services within the country.
However, Duale emphasized the need for robust regulatory frameworks to govern organ donation and transplantation, warning against potential exploitation and malpractice as such services expand.
“The Ministry is actively reviewing existing laws and policies to ensure that organ donation and transplantation are carried out in a just and accountable manner,” he stated.
The SHA is part of the government’s broader health reforms aimed at achieving universal health coverage and improving access to quality, affordable healthcare for all Kenyans.
