President William Ruto has assured teachers and other public servants that the government is actively resolving transitional challenges affecting the Social Health Authority (SHA).
During the 61st Labour Day celebrations at Chavakali High School in Vihiga County, the President recognized recent concerns expressed by public officers but clarified that they result from initial implementation difficulties rather than opposition to the program.
“Regarding healthcare, it is equally important to acknowledge that the concerns we have recently seen from teachers and other public servants arise not from a rejection of SHA, but from transitional operational challenges,” stated President Ruto.
He explained that temporary measures introduced to protect the financial stability of the fund, such as outpatient limits, created unexpected complications in the early stages.”In some cases, this led to unacceptable practices by a few facilities, including demands for additional payments or even complete denial of services,” he added.
President Ruto provided a strong assurance that the problems are being resolved.”However, let me assure all workers, especially teachers and public officials, that those challenges are being decisively addressed. The government has already removed the restrictive pricing mechanisms and launched a structured, nationwide engagement with healthcare providers. These discussions will result in updated agreements that ensure a seamless, zero co-payment, ‘walk-in, walk-out’ experience for all public officers,” he stated.
The head of state also emphasized the broader success of SHA, noting that health insurance coverage has increased from fewer than 8 million Kenyans three years ago to nearly 30.8 million today, bringing close to 65% of the population under coverage compared to just 16% under the former NHIF.
He characterized this expansion as a fundamental transformation that is restoring dignity and accelerating Kenya’s progress toward universal health coverage.