Over 23 Million Kenyans Enrolled in Taifa Care as Government Revamps Healthcare System

 

By Morara Beckham 

Over 23.6 million Kenyans have now enrolled in the Taifa Care programme, a major milestone in the country’s journey toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Speaking at Afya House on Monday, June 16, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale hailed the ongoing reforms as “a people-centered revolution” aimed at delivering affordable, accessible, and accountable healthcare for all.

Launched in October 2024 under the Social Health Insurance Act of 2023, the programme is being implemented by the Social Health Authority (SHA). Since its rollout, more than 5.7 million Kenyans have already accessed services through public, private, and faith-based health facilities. Out of these, over 3.6 million received free treatment for common illnesses, while 2.1 million benefited from specialised care, including 400,000 dialysis sessions and 17,000 cancer treatments.

CS Duale emphasized that the reforms are about more than just expanding access. “We are not just expanding access—we’re cleaning up the system,” he said.

The SHA has paid out a total of Sh43.8 billion since October 2024, with Sh6.2 billion disbursed just last week alone. Health facilities contracted under SHA are now reimbursed by the 14th of every month, a move aimed at ensuring consistency and sustainability in service provision.

One of the key pillars of the reform agenda is fairness in contributions. The government has scrapped the flat-rate payment system that saw everyone contribute the same amount regardless of income. Through the newly introduced Lipa SHA Pole Pole plan—an interest-free, flexible contribution model based on income—1.8 million informal sector workers have already enrolled. “No longer will a mama mboga pay the same as a CEO,” Duale remarked.

To root out inefficiencies and fraud, the Ministry of Health has partnered with regulators to crack down on non-compliant and illegal facilities. So far, 728 health centres have been shut down, and 301 others downgraded. Duale warned that facilities contracted under SHA must meet strict quality standards.

A digital tracking system has also been deployed to monitor patient visits and prescriptions in real time. This initiative is designed to reduce inefficiencies and eliminate counterfeit drugs from the market.

To ensure continuity and quality in healthcare delivery, the government has made significant financial commitments in the 2025/26 budget. A total of Sh6.2 billion has been allocated to hire UHC contract health workers. An additional Sh1.75 billion will go toward settling pending medical bills, while Sh4.2 billion has been set aside to onboard intern doctors, pharmacists, and clinical officers. A further Sh3.2 billion will support training and the work of community health promoters.

To improve access to essential healthcare, Sh13 billion has been earmarked for primary healthcare services and another Sh8 billion for managing emergency and chronic illnesses.

The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has been recapitalised with a Sh10 billion revolving credit facility to keep essential drugs and supplies consistently available.

In a move to reduce the financial burden on patients requiring specialised care, the Ministry has partnered with leading private hospitals such as Aga Khan University Hospital and The Nairobi Hospital. These facilities will provide services like cancer and kidney treatment at government-subsidised rates with no out-of-pocket expenses.

A separate agreement with Roche Pharmaceuticals has led to a major price cut for Herceptin, a breast cancer drug, bringing its cost down from Sh120,000 to Sh40,000.

Digitisation efforts will also continue to expand across the country, with seven additional counties—including Kisumu, Wajir, Machakos, and Nakuru—next in line to benefit from digital health services. The government also plans to roll out a public-facing service charter and intensify SHA registration in underserved areas.

“This is a government that acts—not just talks ," Duale stated calling on health worker unions to embrace dialogue and cooperation as reforms countinue to take shape.

June 17, 2025