More than 15,000 vulnerable households have been enrolled in the Social Health Authority (SHA) through National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF)-supported initiatives in a move aimed at expanding access to affordable healthcare across the country.
According to the Ministry of Health, a total of 15,238 vulnerable households have so far been registered under 62 NG-CDF-supported programmes implemented across 33 constituencies in 17 counties. The initiatives have collectively invested more than Sh96 million in SHA health insurance premiums.
The government says the enrolment drive forms part of broader efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) under the Taifa Care programme by working closely with Members of Parliament, the private sector and other stakeholders to ensure more vulnerable Kenyans can access quality healthcare without financial hardship.
The latest initiative was launched in Belgut Constituency, Kericho County, where Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni joined local leaders and residents to unveil the Belgut NG-CDF SHA Support Programme.
The programme will facilitate the enrolment of 700 vulnerable beneficiaries into the Social Health Authority.
The launch coincided with a free medical camp organised by the Ministry of Health in partnership with Browns East Africa Plantations, bringing preventive and curative healthcare services closer to residents while supporting the registration of eligible beneficiaries under SHA.
Speaking during the launch, Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the Belgut initiative demonstrates the power of partnerships in advancing universal health coverage.
"The Belgut initiative demonstrates the impact of partnerships in advancing universal health coverage. Through NG-CDF-supported initiatives, thousands of vulnerable households have now gained financial protection through SHA," Muthoni said.
She urged more Members of Parliament to replicate similar initiatives in their constituencies to expand healthcare coverage and ensure that vulnerable Kenyans are not left behind.
The government has continued to encourage strategic collaborations with county leaders, legislators, the private sector and development partners to boost enrolment into SHA, describing the health insurance scheme as a key pillar of the Taifa Care programme and Kenya's commitment to achieving equitable, affordable and quality healthcare for all.
The rollout comes as county governments increasingly complement the national government's efforts to expand healthcare access by paying Social Health Authority (SHA) premiums for vulnerable residents. Counties such as Kisumu, Murang'a, Lamu, Kitui, Samburu, Tharaka Nithi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Meru, Baringo and Makueni have established indigent sponsorship programmes that have enabled thousands of low-income households to access healthcare without facing financial hardship.
Kisumu's MARWA Cover has enrolled about 21,000 households, while Murang'a's Kang'ata Care and Lamu County have each sponsored approximately 20,000 vulnerable households. Kitui has covered about 7,000 households, with other counties continuing to expand similar initiatives as part of their commitment to universal health coverage.
Nationally, enrolment into the Social Health Authority has continued to rise, with more than 31.5 million Kenyans now registered under the Taifa Care programme. The Ministry of Health says the growing partnerships between the national government, county governments, Members of Parliament and the private sector are expected to accelerate enrolment and ensure that more vulnerable households receive financial protection against the cost of healthcare.
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