NAIROBI, Kenya – Exactly one week ago, President William Ruto unveiled the “Lipa SHA Pole Pole” Initiative during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations held at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County.
Lipa Pole Pole is a transformative model under the Social Health Authority (SHA) designed to accelerate the rollout of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) across Kenya.
Y News has established that the initiative allows Kenyans in the informal sector to pay for their SHA health insurance cover through affordable and flexible installments, ensuring access to essential healthcare without financial hardship.
Integrated into the Hustler Fund ecosystem through an Insurance Premium Financing product, the model deepens financial inclusion while bringing healthcare closer to the people.
Why President William Ruto launched the “Lipa SHA Pole Pole”
As the government rolls out the payment plan, Dr. Ouma Oluga, OGW, Principal Secretary for Medical Services, breaks it down, terming it a flexible contribution model tailored for Kenyans with irregular incomes, ensuring they’re not excluded from healthcare access.
“The president has been quite kind to launch Lipa SHA Pole Pole. Lipa SHA Pole Pole means that some of our colleagues have income that is not consistent. For instance, if you go to mjengo today, you get paid Sh600, and so tomorrow there may be no mjengo and even the following day. Or even the jua kali sector, whereby you find that today you had sales, tomorrow you didn’t have sales,” explained Dr. Oluga.
Dr. Oluga observed that the majority of Kenyans who have some sort of income, but that income is not consistent.
“So, the ruling Kena Kwanza administration is putting up this system of Lipa SHA Pole Pole, which you first dial *147#. Among the menu, you will see Lipa Pole Pole as number 3. So, you choose number 3, which takes you through the motions until you pay,” Dr. Oluga further explained.
He disclosed that users will need to pay a part before being advanced on the new platform.
“It is an advance that allows you to enjoy the premium, and then you can pay it based on your income,” said Dr. Oluga.
What Health CS Aden Duale said about the “Lipa SHA Pole Pole”
The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, who accompanied the head of state at the event, hailed the initiative as a bold and practical step toward equitable health access.
“This is a significant milestone in our journey towards Universal Health Coverage,” said CS Duale. “By enabling informal sector workers to contribute affordably, we are strengthening our promise to deliver health services that are accessible, inclusive, and dignified for every Kenyan. The Ministry is fully committed to working with all partners to actualise this vision.”
Y News understands that in addition to the SHA reforms, the President announced the transition from the Managed Equipment Services (MES) model to the National Equipment Supply Programme (NESP). Under this new framework, the national government, in collaboration with counties, will procure medical equipment directly from manufacturers, based on county-specific needs.
Equipment will be deployed on a fee-for-service basis, aligned with gazetted SHA tariffs, ensuring quality service delivery, cost-efficiency, and sustainability.
