NAIROBI, Kenya — The government has expanded healthcare coverage under the Social Health Authority, introducing free maternity services and increasing cancer treatment support in what officials described as a major step toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the reforms on Tuesday, saying the changes were implemented under Legal Notice No. 78 of 2026 following directives issued by President William Ruto during the State of the Nation Address and resolutions adopted at the 12th UHC Summit.
The revised benefits package allows all registered SHA beneficiaries to access free maternity services at Level 2 and Level 3 primary healthcare facilities across the country.
According to Duale, the package will cover both normal deliveries and caesarean sections through the Primary Healthcare Fund under a “walk-in, walk-out” arrangement aimed at reducing delays and out-of-pocket expenses for expectant mothers.
“These reforms are designed to protect the health, dignity, and financial well-being of every Kenyan by expanding access to critical healthcare services,” Duale said in a statement.
The changes come amid sustained public scrutiny over the rollout of the Social Health Authority, which replaced the former National Health Insurance Fund under the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023.
The transition has triggered debate over registration challenges, delayed hospital reimbursements, and access to treatment for vulnerable patients.
In the latest reforms, the annual Cancer Benefits Package has been increased from Sh550,000 to Sh800,000. The expanded package now includes oncology consultations, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and advanced diagnostic services such as CT scans, MRI, and PET scans.
The revised package also covers specialized cancer treatment procedures, including Brachytherapy and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT/SBRS), alongside supportive care services.
Health sector stakeholders have repeatedly warned that rising cancer treatment costs continue to push many Kenyan families into financial distress, particularly patients seeking specialized care in private facilities or referral hospitals.
Government data has shown that cancer remains among the leading causes of death in Kenya, with demand for oncology services rising steadily in recent years.
The government also announced a new support package for people living with sickle cell disease, marking one of the first targeted interventions under the revised SHA framework for chronic blood disorders.
Under the package, SHA beneficiaries will access apheresis platelets valued at Sh20,000 and Red Cell exchange services worth Sh70,000, each available up to three times within a policy period.
The Ministry of Health said the measures are intended to reduce catastrophic health expenditure and strengthen access to specialized treatment for patients with long-term illnesses.
