Ruto orders action against public hospitals charging outpatient fees
He encouraged citizens to report hospitals and clinics that continue to demand payments for outpatient care, saying they are undermining the government's efforts to deliver accessible healthcare to all.
President William Ruto has cautioned government-run hospitals, especially dispensaries and Level 4 facilities, that are still demanding payment for outpatient services, saying such practices violate the government's commitment to free primary healthcare under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme.
Speaking at State House in Nairobi on Monday, August 4, Ruto said the government will take decisive action against facilities that continue to charge patients for outpatient care despite public funds being allocated to cover those services.
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“I am sending a warning to facilities in our counties that still charge citizens in our dispensaries, health centres, and level four facilities for outpatient services. Those few who are still charging Kenyans in these government-paid facilities will have themselves to blame, because we will go after them,” Ruto said.
The President said the government has already provided the necessary funding, and no Kenyan should be asked to pay for outpatient visits at public facilities.
He underlined his administration’s commitment to UHC by revealing that Parliament had approved Sh13 billion specifically for primary healthcare, while an additional Sh8 billion had been allocated for emergency services.
“The MPs know. They've approved Sh13 billion to treat Kenyans through Primary Health Care. We've set aside Sh8 billion for emergencies,” he said.
“As I speak here today, I want to speak to the entire nation. We have set aside Sh21 billion for healthcare in the country. That is the commitment I made and I am sticking to it,” Ruto added.
He encouraged citizens to report hospitals and clinics that continue to demand payments for outpatient care, saying they are undermining the government's efforts to deliver accessible healthcare to all.
The warning comes amid public concern over continued out-of-pocket costs at some public hospitals, despite the rollout of the Social Health Authority, which has been active for over ten months.
As of August 2025, the government reports that 25 million Kenyans have enrolled in the programme, and more than 10,000 health facilities, including public, private, and faith-based, have been brought on board to offer services under the scheme.
To enhance efficiency and reduce fraud, the Ministry of Health, through Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, has discontinued the use of One-Time Passwords (OTPs) for authorising access to SHA services.
Approvals will now rely on biometric health IDs or the Practice 360 mobile application. Duale said biometric registration is already available in all Level 4, 5, and 6 facilities, as part of a wider strategy to improve service delivery and safeguard public funds.
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