NAIROBI, Kenya — Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale says Kenya’s newly implemented Social Health Authority (SHA) is already attracting attention from neighbouring countries seeking to study its model, noting that the system’s early success is anchored in strong laws and widespread public support.
Speaking on Tuesday, Duale said the government continues to receive feedback from Kenyans as the system rolls out nationwide, adding that many regional health ministers have expressed interest in learning how Kenya executed the reforms.
“This system is still new, and we are receiving feedback from Kenyans,” Duale said. “Many health ministers from neighbouring countries are asking us how we did it and want to come learn from us, but it requires bold leadership.”
The CS emphasized that the strength of SHA lies in its legal and regulatory framework, which he described as a major improvement from the previous National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) structure.
Duale noted that Kenyan citizens have shown strong support for the reform, which aims to expand universal health coverage and guarantee more inclusive access to health services.
The Ministry of Health recently announced that 27.6 million Kenyans have already registered under SHA — nearly triple the NHIF membership — marking one of the most significant healthcare transitions in the region.
