, saying opposition plans to abolish the scheme would reverse healthcare gains){kind=link}
NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has defended the Social Health Authority (SHA), accusing opposition leaders of seeking to reverse gains made under the country’s new healthcare system by promising to abolish the scheme if they win the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at State House Nairobi during a meeting with more than 8,000 Nairobi County Community Health Promoters on Saturday, the President said SHA had expanded access to healthcare and improved the financing of public health services across the country.
Ruto criticised political opponents who have pledged to scrap SHA and reinstate the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), arguing that such a move would return Kenya to a healthcare system that had failed millions of citizens.
“Wale wanajaribu kushindana na mimi wanasema watafutilia mbali SHA warudishe NHIF. Those people telling us we go back to a system that was not working are a very risky lot for our nation; in fact, they pose an existential threat to our nation,” the President said.
He maintained that the government’s healthcare reforms had transformed service delivery by ensuring hospitals receive payments on time, improving the availability of medicines and strengthening diagnostic capacity in health facilities.
According to the President, the number of Kenyans registered under SHA has increased significantly compared to the previous NHIF system.
“Watu wanatuambia turudi kwa ile ilikuwa na milioni nane… leo tuko na watu milioni 32 wale wamejisajili kwa SHA. NHIF ilikuwa inalipa Sh.5.6 billion kwa miezi mitatu leo SHA inalipia bilioni Sh.12 billion kila mwezi,” Ruto said.
The Head of State said the increased funding under SHA has enabled more healthcare providers to receive timely reimbursements while expanding access to medical services for millions of Kenyans.
His remarks come amid an ongoing political debate over the implementation of the Social Health Authority, which replaced NHIF as part of the government’s universal health coverage reforms.
The President urged Kenyans to support the reforms, insisting the government would continue strengthening the healthcare system to improve access to quality and affordable medical services nationwide.