State to cover SHA contributions for 1.5m Kenyans from next week- Ruto

President William Ruto has said that from next week, the government will pay Social Health Authority (SHA) contributions for 1.5 million Kenyans unable to afford them.

Speaking during an engagement with grassroots leaders from Turkana County at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, Ruto said the initiative is aimed at ensuring access to healthcare without pushing vulnerable families into financial ruin.

"Let everybody pay in accordance with their income. I'm paying Sh40,000 every month. I was paying Sh1000. Because it was not fair," said the President, adding that the State can now afford to pay for those unable to pay SHA contributions.

"From next week, God willing, we are going to pay for the 1.5 million Kenyans who have no capacity to pay. We will pay for them."

The President reiterated that no one should be compelled to sell property in order to cater for medical expenses.

"Mtu asiuze shamba, mtu asiuze ngo'mbe ati anaenda kulipa bill ya hospitali," said Ruto.

Translation: Let no one sell their land or cow in the name of paying hospital bills.

Ruto further noted that the government is committed to ensuring that every Kenyan is registered under SHA, which provides free outpatient services at public health facilities.

For inpatient services, he explained that the government will cover costs for those who are unable to pay, while those who have the financial means will contribute based on their capacity.

"Everyone should be registered for SHA for two reasons. Number one, so that you get free treatment for outpatients in dispensaries, health centres, level three, level four, and sub-county hospitals," he explained.

"You go there, you get treated, you get medicine, you go home, and you’re not asked for a single cent."

By June 2025, more than 22 million Kenyans had been registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA), marking a major milestone in the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, reported that they had served 1.2 million Kenyans, with claims processed amounting to Shs45 billion.

“The Social Health Authority is changing the health financing landscape and cushioning Kenyans who would otherwise slide into poverty because of hospital bills,” said Dr. Oluga.