107,000 community health promoters to get SHA insurance, prompt stipends under new government plan
The decision also directs the development of a framework to transition Community Health Extension Workers (CHEs) to permanent and pensionable terms.
All 107,000 Community Health Promoters across Kenya will be enrolled under the Social Health Authority (SHA) insurance and have their stipends paid promptly, in a bid to ensure that frontline health workers are supported as they deliver essential services to communities nationwide.
The decision, made during the 12th National and County Governments Coordinating Summit, also directs the development of a framework to transition Community Health Extension Workers (CHEs) to permanent and pensionable terms.
More To Read
- KMTC students to start accessing Helb loans after final talks next week
- How Riruta’s upgrade to Level IV hospital is transforming healthcare across Dagoreti
- Nairobi County moves to formalise and regulate childcare sector
- From free to unaffordable: Why more Kenyan women are giving birth at home again
- Kenya’s care economy set for boost as policy nears approval
- From hope to despair: HIV patients left behind by Kenya’s health transition
“Every community health promoter in Kenya will be enrolled under SHA for medical insurance, because these are our frontline foot soldiers in the delivery of health. For them to be comfortable offering this critical service, the Government of Kenya will offer comprehensive insurance for all the 107,000 CHPs across the country. The cost of the premiums will be borne by both the national government and the counties,” Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said during the Summit held on Wednesday at State House.
The Summit communique outlined that the insurance premiums will be co-financed on a 50-50 basis by the national and county governments, amounting to Sh330 per promoter from each level.
Earlier in September, President William Ruto had called for the immediate absorption of over 7,500 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) staff into permanent and pensionable employment, overriding a prior agreement that would have kept the workers on SRC salary scales until June 2026.
Speaking in Mombasa, the President urged both levels of government to end the impasse and expedite the process.
“Hawa wafanyikazi tunataka kuwatoa kutoka ufanya kazi kandarasi tuwafanye permanent and pensionable. Mimi nauliza counties hawa wafanyikazi kuanzia mwezi huu wa tisa tuwaweke permanent and pensionable because we have the resources,” Ruto said at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital while issuing employment letters to some staff.
The President also rebuked counties that have delayed payment of CHPs’ stipends, demanding that all arrears be cleared. He commended Mombasa County for leading SHA registration at 69 per cent, noting that the county has received more than Sh1.5 billion in SHA funds.
Health CS Aden Duale explained that the UHC staff will receive enhanced pay under Ministry of Health supervision from September for the next ten months, after which counties will take over payments in the new financial year following government allocation of funds.
“In principle, the money we have this financial year is for county staff. But from September, they will be paid under SRC guidelines. Sh7.7 billion will be transferred and featured in the Revenue Division Bill,” he said.
However, the National Assembly committee on health criticised the Ministry of Health for delays in rolling out the SHA, citing impacts on hospitals and patients.
Committee chair James Nyikal said, “The idea is to make SHA work for the people. Because when you close a facility, people suffer; it is not the people who make the mistake who suffer, it is the people who need the services that suffer. We are going to take that position. Sort the people who have caused problems, deal with them, but let facilities operate.”
Top Stories Today
