President William Ruto has expressed confidence that the newly implemented Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) is on track to transform healthcare delivery in Kenya. Addressing the 11th National and County Governments Coordinating Summit at State House, Nairobi, on Monday, Ruto dismissed skeptics of the program, asserting that public sentiment towards the initiative is steadily improving.
“They were saying the other week that this thing is not going to work,” Ruto remarked. “Now they are saying it is working but it is creating two categories of Kenyans.” This shift, he noted, signals progress in public perception of the program’s functionality and impact.
Extensive Planning for Success
The President emphasized the extensive preparation and collaboration that went into the rollout of SHIF. Together with the Council of Governors, Ruto noted that his administration had spent considerable time strategizing on how to implement the program effectively.
“My team and I, along with the Council of Governors, have spent countless hours determining how this will be implemented,” he stated. “I have no doubt in my mind that this program will succeed.”
Ruto described SHIF as central to his administration’s broader health reform agenda, which seeks to provide accessible and equitable healthcare for all Kenyans. The program, he said, is part of the government’s Taifa Care initiative, designed to unlock a functional and inclusive healthcare system.
“The progress we are unlocking under Taifa Care will enable us to achieve a goal that has eluded us for many decades,” Ruto said. “A functional and inclusive system that delivers universal healthcare as a fundamental entitlement for all Kenyans.”
Building on Past Administrations
Acknowledging the groundwork laid by previous administrations, Ruto expressed gratitude for the steps taken towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by former Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta. He described UHC as a long-term goal that his government is committed to fulfilling.
“It happens to be that fate has conspired that we are the people to implement it,” he said. “I assure the citizens of Kenya that universal health coverage will be implemented and it will be functional.”
Ruto framed SHIF as a solution to longstanding barriers in Kenya’s healthcare system, including inequities in access and inefficiencies in service delivery. The program, he asserted, is laying the foundation for sustainable and transformative healthcare for all.
Progress Despite Criticism
The President also addressed concerns raised by critics who initially questioned the viability of SHIF. While early opposition suggested that the program would fail, Ruto noted a significant reduction in skepticism as the system demonstrates its functionality.
“That is good progress,” Ruto said. “At least we are beyond the point where it is working or not. We will move to the next step and demonstrate to them that in fact, it is working for everybody.”
Critics have argued that SHIF could potentially create disparities among Kenyans, a claim that Ruto dismissed. Instead, he maintained that the program is a critical step toward achieving equitable healthcare for all citizens, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Commitment to Universal Health Coverage
The rollout of SHIF comes as part of a larger push by Ruto’s administration to implement UHC, a vision he described as fundamental to the nation’s well-being. By overcoming challenges and implementing innovative healthcare strategies, Ruto believes Kenya is on the cusp of achieving a healthcare milestone.
“The universal health coverage will be implemented and it will be functional,” he assured, reiterating his administration’s resolve to deliver on this promise.
Ruto’s remarks reflect a growing optimism about SHIF’s potential to transform healthcare delivery in Kenya. As public perception shifts and the program begins to take root, the President remains steadfast in his commitment to making universal healthcare a reality for all.
