NAIROBI, Kenya — The Social Health Authority (SHA) has unveiled a new flat-rate premium of KSh 660 per month tailored for vulnerable Kenyans to widen access under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, speaking before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Health on 14 October 2025, said the initiative targets indigent persons identified through a joint effort with the Ministry of Social Protection.
He called on philanthropists, development partners, and well-wishers to support the programme to help reach more deserving households.
“To further expand access for vulnerable populations, SHA is implementing a flat-rate premium of KSh 660 per month for each indigent person identified through collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection.”
In September 2025, President William Ruto announced that the government would cover SHA contributions for 2.2 million Kenyans, equivalent to about 558,000 households, enabling them to access health care services under SHA at no direct cost.
The SHA was created to replace the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) following the passage of the Social Health Insurance Act in 2023, with operations commencing 1 October 2024. Under the SHA, working Kenyans contribute 2.75% of gross pay, while informal sector persons make contributions on an annual basis, depending on means testing.
Earlier, SHA had removed a monthly payment option for unemployed or informal sector Kenyans, citing that the law requires annual payments. To address payment challenges, SHA had introduced a “Lipa Pole Pole” (pay gradually) model, allowing repayments in installments (daily, weekly, or monthly) for those unable to pay all at once.
Opportunities
- The KSh 660 rate offers a more modest entry point for extremely vulnerable Kenyans, potentially reducing barriers to enrolment.
- Pairing the premium plan with existing free coverage for 2.2 million beneficiaries could help improve equity in healthcare access.
- Attracting philanthropic and donor support may help stretch limited public health budgets to reach more people.
Nevertheless, some of the challenges ahead include;
- Identifying and verifying who qualifies as “vulnerable” may be administratively complex and prone to errors or exclusion.
- The flat premium may still be unaffordable for some households, especially in high-poverty areas with unpredictable income.
- Ensuring that health facilities are reimbursed on time remains a concern; prior reports have flagged delays and liquidity challenges in SHA.
- Sustaining donor and partner funding over the medium term may be difficult, particularly in a constrained fiscal environment.
