Nairobi, Kenya — President William Ruto has announced that the government will pay Social Health Authority (SHA) insurance premiums for 2.2 million Kenyans, marking a major step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Speaking during the launch of the SHA Sponsorship Program at State House, Nairobi, the President said the initiative will allow beneficiaries to access healthcare services free of charge across more than 6,000 hospitals countrywide.

“We are paying for 558,000 households, translating to 2.2 million Kenyans. This is anchored in law,” Ruto stated.

The President also lauded an anonymous philanthropist who pledged to cover SHA insurance for 113,000 Kenyans and urged Members of Parliament to use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to support needy families in their constituencies.

At the same event, Ruto revealed that medical equipment worth Ksh220 billion would be distributed to counties by December to address shortages, with 25 counties already receiving supplies. He further disclosed that digitization of Level 2 and 3 hospitals would be completed by November.

Launched in October 2024 to replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), SHA has so far collected Ksh70 billion from 4.8 million contributors, including salaried workers and those in the informal sector. The scheme requires employed Kenyans to contribute 2.75 per cent of their gross income, while informal workers pay a flat rate.