Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has reaffirmed President William Ruto’s commitment to transforming Kenya’s healthcare system through Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Speaking on Monday, Duale emphasized that the government is dismantling a system that previously favored a few, leaving millions of Kenyans without access to essential healthcare services.
“Under the leadership of President William Ruto, our Ministry remains firmly committed to delivering Universal Health Coverage to every Kenyan,” Duale said. He noted that the reforms aim to create an equitable system that guarantees quality and affordable healthcare for all citizens, regardless of income, location, or social status.
A cornerstone of these reforms is the establishment of the Social Health Authority (SHA), which replaces the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). Duale explained that SHA is designed to improve health financing, increase accountability, and address long-standing concerns about inefficiency and corruption in the sector.
The government has also launched Taifa Care, a social protection programme aimed at enabling low-income households to access essential medical services without financial strain. Additionally, the revival of Linda Jamii and other targeted interventions demonstrates a commitment to expanding healthcare coverage for vulnerable populations.
Duale highlighted that SHA is more inclusive, particularly for pastoralist communities, allowing recognition of up to four wives and an unlimited number of children, compared to NHIF’s more restrictive policy.
The Ministry of Health is also focusing on streamlining service delivery across counties, enhancing primary healthcare, and improving transparency within the sector. These initiatives are part of a broader national agenda to ensure timely and reliable healthcare becomes a guaranteed right for all Kenyans.
The CS urged both county governments and parliamentary leaders to actively engage in the UHC process. “We don’t want our leaders to only criticize. We want feedback and collaboration as we deliver universal healthcare to Kenyans,” he said.
The Ministry plans to unveil additional UHC initiatives in the coming months as the reforms continue to take shape, aiming to restore public trust in Kenya’s healthcare system.
