Ruto: Social Health Authority Transforming Healthcare Delivery

President William Ruto has hailed the Social Health Authority (SHA) as a game-changer in Kenya’s healthcare system, noting significant improvements in access, efficiency, and service delivery since its rollout six months ago.

Speaking from State House Nairobi after a meeting with religious leaders on Monday, President Ruto said the reforms introduced under SHA are beginning to bear fruit.

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“The Social Health Authority has significantly changed the provision and delivery of healthcare across the country in the past six months. More Kenyans are registering for SHA, more services are increasingly being offered, and efficiency in the payment of services has remarkably improved,” he said.

The president hosted a delegation of faith-based leaders to discuss enhancing the implementation of SHA in church- and mosque-run health facilities. Among those present were Maseno North Anglican Bishop Charles Asilutwa, Machakos Catholic Bishop Norman King’oo Wambua, Africa Inland Church Presiding Bishop Abraham Mulwa, and Supkem National Chairman Hassan ole Naado.

Faith-based health institutions have long played a key role in the delivery of health services, especially in underserved rural communities. The meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration between the government and religious organizations to ensure the new health scheme works seamlessly across all health service providers.

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President Ruto reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to universal health coverage, saying the government would continue investing in systems that reduce the financial burden of illness on Kenyans.

SHA by the Numbers

• 19.3 million Kenyans have registered with SHA as of March 2025.
• Only 3.3 million have been processed through the Means Testing Instrument, indicating that many registrants are yet to be assessed for contribution levels.
• Approximately 1 million Kenyans have accessed primary healthcare services under SHA since October 2024.
• The government has allocated Ksh 6.1 billion to SHA, covering just 4% of the estimated Ksh 168 billion needed for full implementation.

Despite these strides, challenges remain. The Means Testing Instrument, designed to determine individual contribution rates, has faced technical issues, leading to delays in processing registrants. Additionally, funding shortfalls have hindered the full operationalization of SHA, with only a fraction of the required budget allocated to date.

Religious leaders expressed their commitment to supporting the government’s efforts. Bishop Wambua emphasized the importance of transparency and efficiency in the system, while Supkem Chairman ole Naado highlighted the need for inclusive policies that cater to all Kenyans, regardless of faith.

As SHA continues to evolve, the collaboration between the government and faith-based institutions is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving universal health coverage and ensuring that no Kenyan is left behind in accessing quality healthcare.