Government releases Sh4 billion for public servants' medical cover under SHA

SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi (centre) during an activation campaign at KMTC Mokowe in Lamu County. (Photo: Social Health Authority)

By Lucy Mumbi
Monday, September 8, 2025

The release of the funds comes after last month, the Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF) warned that private hospitals across the country would no longer treat civil servants unless payments were made, citing delays of over nine months by the government.

Public servants will now have their medical cover fully financed through the Social Health Authority (SHA) after the government released Sh4 billion to cater for their healthcare needs.

SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi confirmed that the funds will be managed transparently under strict measures aimed at sealing loopholes and safeguarding the scheme against mismanagement.

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Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said the allocation demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of public servants through the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

“Public servants are already covered. What remains is for us to diligently serve wananchi and support the rollout of SHA so that every Kenyan can access affordable and quality healthcare,” Ruku said.

The CS made the announcement at ACK St. Peter’s Cathedral, Siakago in Mbeere North, Embu County, during the annual ACK Women’s Union service.

He described SHA as a transformative step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), adding that roughly 30,000 Kenyans are registering daily, showing growing public confidence in the system.

Mwangangi provided a detailed breakdown of SHA’s structure and benefits, emphasising that the government is tightening oversight to prevent mismanagement while strengthening transparency.

“We are strengthening transparency and building a healthcare system that leaves no one behind,” Mwangangi said.

The release of the funds comes after last month, the Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF) warned that private hospitals across the country would no longer treat civil servants unless payments were made, citing delays of over nine months by the government.

KHF had indicated that all civil servants, except teachers and police officers, will be required to pay in cash to access services at private facilities unless SHA and the Ministry of Health step in.

The federation informed Mwangangi that private healthcare providers could no longer sustain the financial burden of treating public servants without compensation from the government’s health insurance scheme.

The church service also gathered hundreds of congregants, government officials and local leaders who lauded the SHA scheme. Lands and Housing Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, who was also in attendance, hailed SHA as a “game-changer” in Kenya’s healthcare sector and urged churches and communities to lead sensitisation efforts.

“SHA is the game-changer for a healthy community. We must educate, we must mobilise, and above all, we must register,” Wahome said.

She also updated the gathering on the Affordable Housing Programme, noting that 170,000 units are nearing completion while 670,000 Kenyans have applied. Wahome appealed to Mbeere residents to support the government in the upcoming Mbeere North by-election, highlighting the elevation of former MP Geoffrey Ruku to Cabinet Secretary.

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire highlighted major strides in the county’s health sector, revealing that Embu Level 5 Hospital has received Sh213 million since July. She confirmed that maternity services are now fully free and that Embu ranks fifth nationally in SHA registration, with 302,000 people enrolled, representing 55 per cent of the county’s population.