Kenya is making remarkable progress in implementing the Social Health Authority (SHA), with over 19.3 million citizens now registered under the program. However, the process of means testing remains a significant challenge, as only 3.33 million registrants have been assessed so far.
During a media briefing today,12th February 2025 Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, alongside Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, provided an update on the rollout. According to Dr. Amoth, 8,813 out of 17,755 active health facilities—amounting to 56%—have successfully enrolled in the SHA system, with 89% of them actively accessing and utilizing the digital platform.
Since its launch in October 2024, SHA has facilitated primary healthcare services for over one million Kenyans, marking a crucial step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The initiative aims to ensure that all Kenyans, regardless of financial status, have access to essential healthcare services.
Despite these achievements, several challenges persist. Registration rates tend to be lower over weekends, and uptake remains limited in certain counties, particularly Turkana, West Pokot, and Samburu. These regions face geographical and infrastructural barriers that hinder seamless enrollment.
In response, the Ministry of Health is ramping up efforts to expand community outreach beyond traditional health service points. Additionally, authorities are actively supporting healthcare facilities in transitioning from manual to digital systems to enhance efficiency and accessibility.
The implementation of SHA signifies a major milestone in Kenya’s healthcare reform, with the government committed to ensuring that every citizen benefits from an inclusive and sustainable health system. Moving forward, continued collaboration between national and county governments, as well as community engagement, will be crucial in addressing existing challenges and further strengthening the program.
