Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme, Taifa Care, has recorded significant progress with 26.5 million Kenyans registered and over 17.5 million healthcare visits captured under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale made the announcement during the 28th Ordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) held on September 29, 2025, in Nairobi.
The meeting, chaired by Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, brought together governors, Cabinet secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and other senior government officials.
“Taifa Care is transitioning from policy to implementation. Its success relies on sustained collaboration with counties. Together, we are building a resilient, equitable, and digitally enabled health system, translating the promise of UHC into a lived reality for every Kenyan,” said Duale.
He reported that 3.6 million Kenyans have accessed free primary care, while another 2.1 million citizens have received advanced treatment, including dialysis and cancer care.
“These achievements mark a significant step forward in strengthening community health systems and advancing Kenya’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage,” the CS said.
The programme is anchored on four critical pillars: the Comprehensive Integrated Health Information System (CIHIS), Health Commodity Security, Human Resources for Health, and Health Financing through SHA.
According to Duale, SHA has mobilized Sh70 billion in contributions, with 4.4 million Kenyans actively paying premiums. Services are now available through more than 10,000 healthcare providers and facilities across the country.
A total of Sh59.3 billion has been disbursed under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), with Sh29.8 billion being disbursed to private providers, Sh13.7 billion to county facilities, Sh9.9 billion to faith-based institutions and Sh5.9 billion to national referral hospitals.
Additionally, Sh10 billion has been paid out under the Primary Health Care (PHC) benefit, with 56% of funds going to county facilities, 36% to private providers, and 7% to faith-based institutions.
“Over 7.1 million unique patients have benefited, with 5 million visits supported under SHIF and ECCIF, and another 12.5 million receiving services through PHC benefits,” said Duale.
The government also highlighted achievements in maternal and child health. The Inua Jamii programme has supported 627,155 safe deliveries, including 41,000 among teenage mothers, offering integrated maternal and newborn services with financial protection for families.
Cancer care has also expanded, with SHA now covering oncology services up to Sh550,000 per patient, easing the burden of out-of-pocket spending.
SHA has rolled out platforms for registration, instalment-based premium payments (Lipa SHA Pole Pole), real-time eligibility verification, and claims management, improving digital health.
At the facility level, 24 counties are using the Taifa Care Hospital Management Information System, with 937 out of 3,386 facilities now paperless. More than 23,700 tablets have been distributed to health workers, and biometric patient identification is active in 1,065 facilities.
“Biometric patient identification, backed by over 2,100 scanners, is ensuring efficiency and reducing fraud. This digital transformation is the backbone of a transparent and accountable UHC system,” Duale noted.
The CS urged counties to step up their role in ensuring premium compliance, contracting eligible providers, and submitting quality claims.
“Counties remain pivotal in ensuring quality service delivery, compliance, and accountability as we sustain the reform momentum,” he emphasized.