HOMA BAY, Kenya – Kenyans can breathe a sigh of relief after the government rolled out a new mode of Social Health Authority (SHA) payment.
The announcement was made by President William Ruto when he presided over this year’s Madaraka Day national celebrations in Homa Bay County.
President Ruto claimed that the healthcare transition challenges and teething problems are now behind Kenyans, and Universal Healthcare Coverage is now serving Kenyans and leaving nobody behind.
“To address persistent challenges such as irregular premium contributions among informal sector workers, we are introducing an innovative and inclusive payment solution called LIPA SHA POLE POLE,” announced President Ruto.
This initiative, according to the head of state, enables Kenyans to remit their annual SHA contributions through flexible, manageable instalments, whether monthly, weekly, or even daily, based on their financial ability.
“It ensures families maintain continuous health coverage without financial strain while simultaneously promoting the sustainability of the health insurance fund. LIPA SHA POLE POLE has been made possible through a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs, Mobile Network Operators, and Financial Institutions, through the Hustler Fund,” explained the president.
How Kenyans can access the Lipa SHA POLE POLE system
The head of state said citizens can dial *147# and follow the prompts to enrol and begin their contributions immediately.
Additionally, to expand access to comprehensive inpatient care, President Ruto indicated that SHA is prioritising the enrolment of all Kenyans, with a particular focus on those in the informal
sector, many of whom were previously excluded under the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
“Although informal households account for approximately 80% of the population, they have historically faced significant barriers to accessing health insurance. So far, 1.7 million informal sector households have successfully enrolled and paid for social health insurance, a record achievement representing the highest number of informal sector enrolments in a single year in the history of Kenya,” President Ruto further said.
In just eight months, President Ruto reiterated that SHA has disbursed Sh43 billion in claims to facilities, with 4.5 million Kenyans having received treatment fully covered by SHA since its inception.
“Since the rollout of Taifa Care in October 2024, President Ruto disclosed that 23 million Kenyans have so far registered with, a move he termed a resounding vote of confidence in the country’s reformed healthcare model.
How many Kenyans is the government registering on the SHA daily
In his own words, the head of state who spoke at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County went on:
“We are now recording an average of 50,000 new registrations daily, a clear testament to the fact that Kenyans have embraced a system designed to guarantee access to quality, affordable, and dignified healthcare for all.”
For the first time in Kenya’s history, President Ruto revealed that under SHA, citizens can access free emergency services in all facilities, funded by the government through the Emergency, Critical, and Chronic Illness Fund.
“This groundbreaking reform is eliminating the burden of mandatory deposits demanded by hospitals. To sustain this momentum, the government has allocated sufficient resources to fully fund primary healthcare services. Every registered Kenyan can now access care in public and SHA-contracted facilities at no cost,” said President Ruto.
He further noted that Taifa Care is universal in both word and deed.
“This healthcare service delivery transformation goes beyond the magnitude of several new beneficiaries to real impact. SHA is settling payments promptly, ensuring that no Kenyan is turned away due to a lack of funds,” explained President Ruto.
Why are the SHA payments made on a fee-for-service basis
In addition to enhancing access to health insurance, the president disclosed that his administration has prioritised the availability of essential medical equipment in public health facilities.
“Moving away from the previous Managed Equipment Services (MES) model, which placed maintenance and service delivery responsibilities solely on county governments, we have adopted a more efficient approach under the National Equipment Supply Programme,” he said.
Under this new model, the head of state said the national government, working in collaboration with county governments, engages directly with equipment manufacturers and suppliers to deploy critical medical equipment based on county-specific needs.
“Payments are made on a fee-for-service basis, aligned with the gazetted SHA tariffs. This output-based financing mechanism ensures that facilities are reimbursed only for actual services rendered, thereby enhancing accountability and guaranteeing the availability, functionality, and quality of medical services across public health institutions,” President Ruto said.
He, at the same time, urged every Kenyan to take charge of their health by enrolling with SHA.
“Together we can end the heartbreaking cycle where families are forced to auction their livestock, sell their land, or part with their life’s possessions just to afford medical care. No Kenyan should have to choose between life-saving treatment and their dignity,” he went on.
The president also observed that there is a need to unite to build a healthcare system rooted in dignity, equality, and compassion—a system where access to care is a right, not a privilege for a few.
