Nairobi – President William Ruto has directed a nationwide campaign to register every Kenyan and their dependents under the Social Health Authority (SHA), a move he says will improve healthcare delivery and resource planning across the country.
The directive was issued Thursday during the Third National Executive Retreat held in Kajiado County. Ruto emphasized that full registration into the SHA system is critical for both national and county governments to allocate medical personnel, equipment, and essential supplies more accurately.
“This initiative will allow the government to plan effectively for the health of its people,” Ruto said. “We will know exactly how many people need care, where they live, and what services are required.”
The President said about 50,000 people are signing up to the SHA system each day. He attributed the growing numbers to public awareness that SHA registration enables access to healthcare services at no cost beyond the required contributions.
Ruto maintained that the campaign is a cornerstone of his administration’s goal to deliver universal healthcare. He added that the system will guide future investments in hospitals, clinics, and medical training, especially in underserved regions.
The Social Health Authority was established to replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) as part of Kenya’s broader overhaul of the public healthcare system. Under the new framework, citizens are required to register and contribute to access subsidized or free medical services across public health facilities.
The SHA registration drive also supports the rollout of preventive health programs and is expected to help identify gaps in infrastructure and service delivery. By tying individual data to national healthcare needs, the government hopes to avoid past inefficiencies such as oversupplied urban clinics and neglected rural facilities.
Officials at the retreat said the campaign will run in coordination with local administrators and health workers to ensure even remote areas are covered.
