Public Service Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has defended the government’s decision to shift Social Health Authority (SHA) contributions from monthly to annual payments. Speaking during a public participation forum at Murang’a University of Technology, Muthoni said the new model aims to ensure uninterrupted access to healthcare services, especially for non-salaried Kenyans who may face income instability.
“Paying annually in advance guarantees that beneficiaries continue receiving services, even if they face temporary financial hardship due to illness or loss of income,” she said. Muthoni warned that partial payments under the monthly system often lead to coverage lapses, resulting in denied services and dissatisfaction with the program.
The new system requires households to contribute 2.75 percent of their income annually. While acknowledging that a lump-sum payment may seem burdensome, especially for informal sector workers, Muthoni revealed that the government is offering support through the Hustler Fund.
“Let’s say your annual contribution is Sh7,200 and you can’t afford to pay it all at once. The government has made it possible to borrow the amount interest-free and repay it gradually—daily, weekly, or monthly,” she explained.
The Hustler Fund, a state-backed financial support initiative, will help ease the transition by offering zero-interest loans to those unable to make the full payment upfront. This measure is part of the broader strategy to ensure that no Kenyan is excluded from healthcare services due to financial constraints.
Muthoni emphasized that universal health coverage can only be achieved if all citizens contribute their share. She called on Kenyans to support the SHA programme, highlighting ongoing efforts by the Social Health Authority and its partners to assist vulnerable households in meeting their obligations.
“This initiative is designed to ensure no Kenyan is denied quality healthcare due to lack of funds. We must work together to make universal healthcare a reality,” Muthoni said.
The SHA scheme is a cornerstone of the government’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, aimed at ensuring equitable and affordable access to quality health services for all citizens.
