NAIROBI, Kenya — The Social Health Authority (SHA) has announced the disbursement of Primary Health Care (PHC) funds for the 2025/2026 financial year, alongside plans to release its first-ever PHC Fund Impact Report, in a move aimed at strengthening frontline healthcare delivery across the country.
In a public notice dated March 20, 2026, the authority confirmed that payments have been made to contracted healthcare providers to ensure uninterrupted services under the government’s universal health coverage agenda.
The disbursement covers all verified claims processed up to January 2026, as well as the settlement of arrears for the period between January and June 2025, addressing longstanding concerns among health facilities over delayed reimbursements.
“The disbursement ensures that facilities have the resources to continue serving Kenyans without interruption,” the notice stated, signaling a renewed push by the government to stabilize healthcare financing at the primary care level.
Primary Health Care forms the backbone of Kenya’s health system, particularly in rural and underserved areas where access to higher-level facilities remains limited. Timely funding is critical to sustaining essential services such as outpatient care, maternal health, immunization, and treatment of common illnesses.
The SHA has also published a list of facilities that have received payments, enhancing transparency and enabling providers and the public to verify disbursements.
Impact report to reveal funding trends
In tandem with the disbursement, the authority is preparing to release its inaugural PHC Fund Impact Report, offering a data-driven analysis of how resources have been utilized since the rollout of the new health financing framework.
According to SHA, the report will capture insights accumulated over 14 months and Sh18.97 billion in funding, shedding light on the real impact of investments in primary healthcare.
The report is expected to highlight:
- Funding distribution (“money trail”) across counties and the rationale behind allocations
- Facility-level performance, identifying PHC centers with the highest impact
- Health trends, including the most common ailments treated at primary care facilities
- Medicine availability patterns across regions
- Cost implications for citizens who fail to register under the new health insurance system
Health sector analysts say the report could play a crucial role in shaping future policy decisions by identifying gaps in service delivery and resource allocation.
“This kind of transparency is essential for accountability and for improving efficiency in health spending,” said a Nairobi-based public health expert, noting that data-driven insights can help policymakers better target interventions.
Push for universal health coverage
The transition from the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the SHA has been marked by operational challenges, including system delays and concerns from healthcare providers over payment timelines. The latest disbursement is likely to ease tensions and restore confidence among service providers.
SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mercy Mwangangi emphasized the importance of public awareness and participation, urging Kenyans to register with the authority to fully benefit from the program.
“Follow the money, see the impact, and understand your health cover better,” she said, underscoring the role of citizens in the success of the new system.
