President William Ruto has announced that the government will cover the Social Health Insurance (SHA) contributions for 1.5 million Kenyans who cannot afford the payments.
The move, revealed on Tuesday, September 2, aims to cushion vulnerable households and guarantee their access to healthcare under the new social health framework.
“We have identified 1.5 million Kenyans who cannot afford the SHA registration fee. The Government will cover the cost for all of them, and payment mechanisms will begin next week,” read a statement shared by the Head of Creative Economy and Special Projects, Dennis Itumbi.
New Payment Flexibility for Informal Sector
This intervention comes three months after Ruto unveiled reforms to optimise SHA operations. Speaking during Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1, the President announced a flexible payment plan dubbed “Lipa SHA Pole Pole” or “Lipa SHA Mosmos.”
The plan allows informal sector workers to remit contributions in small, manageable instalments—monthly, weekly, or even daily—matching their irregular income streams.
“This initiative is designed to end the challenge of irregular premium payments. It provides flexibility so that no Kenyan is left behind,” Ruto said.
The system has been developed through a multi-agency effort involving the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs, mobile network operators, and financial institutions. Registration can be done by dialing *147# and following the prompts.
Boosting Taifa Care
President Ruto also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to Taifa Care, the universal primary healthcare initiative.
“The government has allocated sufficient resources to fully fund primary healthcare services. Every registered Kenyan can now access care in public and SHA-contracted facilities at no cost. Taifa Care is universal in both words and deeds,” he noted.
Hustler Fund Row Sparks Clarification
Meanwhile, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale moved to calm fears after Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura sparked controversy in June by suggesting Hustler Fund defaulters would be locked out of SHA benefits.
Mwaura had claimed that Kenyans with unpaid Hustler Fund loans—estimated at KSh 6 billion in defaults—would be denied health cover.
Duale firmly dismissed the claim, saying all Kenyans remain entitled to healthcare regardless of their loan status.
“The information is inaccurate. All Kenyans have a right to access Social Health Authority services regardless of their engagement with Hustler Fund,” the CS clarified.
The government now hopes the dual approach—direct support for the most vulnerable and flexible payment options for the informal sector—will accelerate Kenya’s march toward universal health coverage (UHC).
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