Government to Pay SHA Contributions for 1.5 Million Needy Kenyans

President William Ruto has announced that, starting next week, the government will begin paying Social Health Authority (SHA) contributions for 1.5 million Kenyans who cannot afford them.

Speaking during a meeting with grassroots leaders from Turkana County at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, the President said that he will soon meet with Governors and Members of Parliament to rally support for covering close to another million Kenyans under the scheme.

Ruto explained that SHA contributions are equitable and set at 2.75 per cent of income, which allows the government to support those unable to pay.

“Unlike NHIF, which covered those who could afford and those who had jobs, SHA is for all Kenyans. Healthcare is not the preserve of a few; it is for all Kenyans,” he said.

The head of state urged them to accelerate SHA registration to ensure affordable and quality healthcare reaches every household.

He emphasised a shift in how SHA funds are shared, explaining that SHA payments are sent to specific hospitals, not counties as before, to ensure that medical facilities have the resources to deliver quality services.

Ruto described SHA as a comprehensive health insurance program that eases medical costs for citizens who would otherwise be unable to pay.

“Once again, President Ruto cautioned dispensaries, health centres and sub-county hospitals against charging patients for outpatient services, saying the government has set aside Ksh 21 billion for these and it will pay through SHA,” he warned.

SHA scandal

Recently, the SHA faced serious allegations of fraud, including suspensions of over 40 health facilities for false or inflated claims.

Hundreds of facilities and practitioners are under investigation, and thousands of case files have been forwarded to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for possible prosecution.