The Social Health Authority (SHA) has announced it will take over medical cover for officers in the National Police Service (NPS) and Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) starting April 1, 2026, in a major shift under the government’s universal health coverage agenda.
In a notice issued on March 30, SHA confirmed that the new arrangement will cover all police officers, prison officers and their eligible dependants under the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF).
“The Social Health Authority informs all officers of the National Police Service and Kenya Prisons Service, and their eligible dependants, that SHA will manage their medical cover effective 12:00am on April 1, 2026,” the notice stated.
The authority assured officers that the current medical scheme will remain valid until 11:59pm on March 31, allowing for a seamless transition into the new system without disruption to healthcare services.
SHA noted that it is working closely with healthcare providers and relevant government institutions to ensure continuity of care for all beneficiaries. Officers and their dependants already admitted in hospitals will continue receiving treatment under SHA without interruption from the transition date.
For those receiving care in facilities not yet contracted under SHA, arrangements will be made to facilitate transfer to approved facilities to ensure continued access to services.
The move follows a directive issued on February 26 aimed at strengthening the country’s push towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The programme seeks to make healthcare more accessible and affordable, with millions of Kenyans already registered under SHA.
To benefit from the new cover, officers have been advised to update details of all declared dependants to ensure smooth access to medical services. Registration can be done by dialling *147# or through the SHA and Afya Yangu online platforms.
To support the rollout, SHA has also deployed liaison officers in all county offices and established a dedicated toll-free hotline to handle enquiries and provide guidance to officers during the transition period.
The new arrangement is expected to benefit a significant number of personnel, with the National Police Service comprising over 100,000 officers, while the Kenya Prisons Service oversees tens of thousands of inmates across the country.
The transition marks a significant step in the ongoing reforms within Kenya’s healthcare sector, with the government aiming to streamline medical cover for public officers while enhancing efficiency and accountability in service delivery.
 has announced it will take over medical cover for officers in the National Police Service (NPS) and Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) starting April 1, 2026, in a major shift under the government’s universal health coverage agenda.){kind=link}