Nairobi, Kenya- Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has put managers of level 2, level 3, and sub-county hospitals on notice over charging outpatients, saying the directive from President William Ruto is clear — no fees for such services.
Speaking in Kirinyaga Central on Sunday, Muthoni said the Ministry will closely monitor compliance to ensure Kenyans access treatment without paying a shilling.
She warned that any health professional defying the order risks losing their practising licence.
“All Kenyans registered with the Social Health Insurance should not pay even a coin when visiting these facilities,” she said.
Patients will only be required to pay when referred to level 4 or level 5 hospitals.
Muthoni urged Kenyans to continue registering with the Social Health Authority (SHA) to access better healthcare, noting the government has rolled out several reforms to streamline the sector.
The warning follows President Ruto’s Sunday order that levels 1 to 3 hospitals, including sub-county facilities, treat outpatients free of charge under Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The Head of State cautioned Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi over reports that hospitals in the county were still charging despite receiving funds from the national government.
