Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has directed Huduma Centres across Kenya to establish Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) desks in a bid to streamline access to information and services under the Social Health Authority (SHA). This initiative, according to the CS, is pivotal in addressing confusion surrounding the SHIF and SHA programs. The move aligns with Kenya Kwanza’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which was a central promise during the 2022 campaigns. SHIF, under the management of SHA, replaces the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and aims to provide health insurance to over 50 million Kenyans a significant increase from the 10 million previously covered under NHIF.
Announcing the directive on Monday via X (formerly Twitter), CS Muturi emphasized the importance of creating a seamless point of access for Kenyans seeking information or registration services under SHIF. He stated that the SHIF desks in Huduma Centres would help bridge gaps in understanding and ensure that every Kenyan can easily register for the program. During a visit to the Kapsabet Huduma Centre in Nandi County, Muturi inspected service delivery and lauded the proactive measures taken to set up an operational SHIF desk. He noted the centre’s efforts in effectively addressing residents’ needs, signaling the government’s focus on achieving quality service delivery. Muturi reiterated that affordable healthcare under Universal Health Coverage was a cornerstone of Kenya Kwanza’s manifesto and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to fulfilling this promise.
The rollout of the SHIF scheme has faced criticism from various quarters, but significant milestones have been achieved. By November 28, 2024, the Ministry of Health reported that 15,559,426 Kenyans had registered with SHA, marking a substantial step toward UHC. According to South Rift Regional Manager for SHA, Wambugu Kariuki, approximately 9.75 million registrations are voluntary. Among these, 3.6 million are individuals aged 18–35, highlighting the youth’s engagement with the scheme. Additionally, 3.33 million fall within the 36–55 age bracket, 1.37 million are over 55 years old, and 1.45 million are under 18 years old. Another 5.8 million members were automatically migrated from NHIF. These numbers underscore the government’s strategy to make healthcare affordable and accessible to every Kenyan, irrespective of age or economic status.
The SHA, tasked with managing SHIF, represents a significant policy shift aimed at reducing the financial burden of healthcare. The new structure ensures that all Kenyan citizens and their dependents are covered under SHIF, a move expected to bolster health outcomes and financial protection against medical costs. However, the transition from NHIF to SHA has not been without its hurdles. Some Kenyans have expressed dissatisfaction over aspects of the registration process and the level of clarity around SHIF benefits. The government, through initiatives like the SHIF desks, seeks to address these concerns and build public trust in the system.
CS Muturi’s directive underscores the administration’s dedication to improving public service delivery. While visiting Kapsabet Huduma Centre, he praised the staff’s commitment to excellence but acknowledged that challenges remain. He commended the hardworking staff for their dedication and reaffirmed the government’s focus on addressing service delivery gaps to enhance accessibility for all Kenyans. By bringing SHIF services closer to the people through Huduma Centres, the government hopes to strengthen the healthcare system’s inclusivity and effectiveness, making affordable healthcare a reality for millions of Kenyans.
