Kericho: Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage programme has reached a major milestone, with 31.5 million Kenyans now registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA), even as the government accelerates reforms aimed at expanding access to affordable healthcare across the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, speaking during a boda boda empowerment forum on the Kericho Teachers Training College grounds, noted that the uptake reflects growing public confidence in the new health financing model. He highlighted that Kericho County has already enrolled more than 450,000 residents, placing it among the leading counties nationally.
‘The Social Health Authority is ensuring that no Kenyan is locked out of healthcare because of inability to pay. It is designed to protect families from catastrophic medical expenses while guaranteeing access to essential services across all levels of care,’ assured Duale.
The CS explained that SHA is transforming healthcare delivery by removing financial barriers that have long prevented many households from accessing treatment, emphasizing that the system is anchored on equity and sustainability in health financing.
Duale also announced a major boost to maternal healthcare, revealing that the government has allocated Sh4 billion to fully cover maternity services in public health facilities. This initiative allows expectant mothers to safely deliver without incurring medical costs.
‘This intervention guarantees dignity and safety for every mother during childbirth. No woman should have to worry about hospital bills at the most critical moment of bringing life into the world, and the government is deliberately removing that burden through full maternity coverage,’ he said.
The CS stated that the policy is expected to significantly reduce maternal and newborn mortality by encouraging more expectant mothers to seek skilled delivery services in formal health facilities.
He further confirmed that primary healthcare services have been fully funded under ongoing reforms, describing them as the foundation of preventive care and early disease detection within the Universal Health Coverage framework.
In a major infrastructure boost for Kericho, Duale announced that the county will receive a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, a move expected to reduce referrals to Eldoret and other distant facilities.
‘This MRI equipment will bring specialized diagnostic services closer to the people of Kericho. It will reduce delays in diagnosis, lower travel costs for patients, and strengthen the county’s capacity to handle complex medical cases locally,’ the CS explained.
He also disclosed that Sh9.8 billion has been allocated to transition 7,740 Universal Health Coverage workers into permanent and pensionable terms, adding that consultations with key government agencies are in the final stages, ahead of full absorption by July.
On health financing, Duale said the government has already cleared Sh4 billion in outstanding NHIF claims and is processing additional verified payments within the current budget cycle, assuring healthcare providers of continued financial stability in service delivery.
Beyond health, he highlighted wider government interventions, including reduction of fertilizer prices from Sh7,000 to Sh2,500, employment of more than 100,000 teachers, and establishment of over 600,000 market stalls nationwide to support small traders.
‘These interventions are not isolated achievements; they are part of a coordinated national strategy to strengthen household incomes, boost productivity and ensure that economic growth is felt at the grassroots level,’ said Duale.
‘Every registered Kenyan is assured of financial protection when seeking healthcare. This system is built to ensure that illness does not push families into poverty and that every citizen can access treatment with dignity and without delay,’ he added.
Duale also called on young people to actively participate in voter registration, saying leadership choices directly influence national development outcomes.
The CS said the reforms reflect the government’s commitment to equitable development, improved service delivery, and strengthened public health systems across all counties.
The empowerment forum brought together national and county leaders and grassroots stakeholders, including Kericho Senator and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot; Governor Dr. Erick Mutai; Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago; Kericho Women Representative Beatrice Kemei; MPs Nelson Koech-Belgut, Benjamin Langat-Ainamoi, Joseph Cherorot-Kipkelion East, and Hillary Koskei-Kipkelion West; Members of the County Assembly; county officials; and thousands of boda boda operators and traders drawn from across Kericho County.
