President William Ruto has called on unregistered Kenyans to enroll in the Social Health Authority (SHA) to take advantage of the new national health insurance program.
The President highlighted that SHA removes the necessity for families to sell valuable assets to cover expensive medical expenses, noting that citizens can now receive hospital treatment without immediate payment.
According to the President, higher enrollment will allow the government to improve healthcare planning, including hiring medical staff and distributing equipment across healthcare facilities.
‘By registering for SHA, the government can more effectively determine how many healthcare workers to employ and what equipment is needed in various hospitals,’ he stated.
The President disclosed that since its launch in October 2024, SHA has allocated KSh5 billion to hospitals in Kisii County for services provided.
The President spoke in Bomachoge Borabu, Kisii County, while inspecting the KSh75 million Mogonga Modern Market project.
He mentioned that the facility will provide traders with a clean and safe working space, protecting them from severe weather conditions.
‘Our traders have endured working in inadequate conditions, exposed to rain, dust, and intense sunlight. We pledged to enhance their environment, and that is precisely what we are implementing,’ he explained.
While initially allocated KSh55 million, the market received an extra KSh20 million to expand its capacity and host additional traders.
The expansion will transform the facility into a two-story building, with plans for another market in the region already in progress.
In Nyaribari Masaba, the President inaugurated a separate KSh55 million market planned to accommodate 300 traders. The facility will feature an ICT center, refrigeration storage, and a space for community gatherings.
‘Soon, residents won’t have to travel long distances to access government services. The ICT center in the market will enable access to essential services like applications for birth certificates and national IDs,’ he noted.
As he progressed through the third day of a four-day development tour of the Gusii region, the President emphasized key government accomplishments.
He mentioned that 41,000 households in Kisii County have been connected to electricity in the last three years, with an additional KSh2 billion allocated this year to connect 28,000 more homes.
The President stressed the government’s dedication to nationwide electrification, guaranteeing that no region is excluded.
The President also acknowledged ongoing cooperation between the National Government and Kisii County to establish a KSh500 million County Aggregation and Industrial Park, which will enhance value addition for agricultural products like bananas and coffee.
He reiterated the administration’s emphasis on stimulating economic growth and alleviating poverty through development initiatives.
Furthermore, he announced the allocation of KSh300 million for building roads and bridges in Bomachoge Borabu Constituency.
The government has also allocated KSh18 billion to construct 13,000 affordable housing units in Kisii.
Current projects include KSh640 million housing units in Kenyenya and KSh140 million hostels for polytechnic students.
President Ruto underscored the significance of cooperation among leaders, stating his administration is dedicated to promoting unity and ensuring balanced development nationwide.
‘Our government is committed to uniting people and prioritizing development. Leaders at both county and national levels must collaborate to accomplish this,’ he concluded.