President William Ruto has announced a major milestone in Kenya’s healthcare transformation, revealing that the number of Kenyans covered under health insurance has grown from 7 million to over 26 million.
Speaking on Sunday, October 12, 2025, during the 70th anniversary celebration of the Africa Inland Church (AIC), Ruto described the increase as evidence that ongoing government reforms are yielding results.
“Mambo za matibabu yanazidi kuwa bora zaidi. Tulikuwa na Wakenya milioni saba katika bima ya afya, sasa tumefikisha milioni ishirini na sita laki saba,” said Ruto.
The President attributed this progress to faith, collective effort, and the government’s commitment to improving essential services. He thanked God for enabling the country’s progress in various sectors, including healthcare, infrastructure, and housing.
“Kwa neema ya Mungu, yale mipango tumekuwa nayo miaka mingi… sasa yanonekana kwa macho,” he added.
Healthcare Transformation Through SHIF
Kenya’s health sector is currently undergoing a significant overhaul through the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), designed to ensure universal access to affordable healthcare. The reform aims to replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) with a more inclusive model that caters to both formal and informal workers.
Despite this progress, challenges remain. Public hospitals still face underfunding, frequent strikes, and overcrowding, while citizens continue to raise concerns about poor service delivery. The government hopes that SHIF will resolve these long-standing issues and make healthcare equitable for all Kenyans.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Ruto expressed optimism about Kenya’s future, stating that his administration envisions transforming the country into a first-class nation within the next 30 years.
“Miaka thelathini ijayo… maombi yetu kwa Mungu ni Kenya itoke kutoka third world to first class,” he said.
As Kenya marks this milestone, Ruto’s remarks reflect a renewed national commitment to accessible healthcare and long-term development.
