President William Ruto has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering universal healthcare through the newly launched national health insurance program, Taifa Care. Speaking during a church service in Konoin, Bomet County, on Sunday, the President assured Kenyans that the initiative aims to ensure affordable and accessible healthcare for all, regardless of income or employment status.
“Mpango wetu wa Universal Health Coverage ni kuhakikisha kwamba, iwe unafanya kazi au la, serikali ya Kenya ina mpango wa matibabu kwa kila Mkenya,” President Ruto emphasized, highlighting the program’s inclusive nature.
Taifa Care represents a pivotal step in transforming Kenya’s health sector, tackling longstanding issues such as the reliance on fundraisers to cover medical expenses. According to President Ruto, this program is designed to eliminate such financial burdens. “Hakuna mtu tena atauza ng’ombe yake, shamba lake au ploti yake eti ndio apate kugharamia matibabu. Bima ya kitaifa ya afya, Taifa Care, itashughulikia mambo yetu yote ya matibabu,” he affirmed.
The President’s sentiments were echoed by local leaders, including Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok and Konoin MP Brighton Yegon, who lauded the program’s impact. Governor Barchok pointed to success stories from the Social Health Authority (SHA), the implementing body for Taifa Care. “We have living testimonies amongst us. Our people (who have registered) have gone to the hospital, received treatment, and were not asked to pay any money,” he said.
MP Brighton Yegon recounted a specific case in Sotik, Bomet County, where a family with a Ksh 1.6 million hospital bill only had to pay Ksh 600, thanks to SHA. “Kenyans should register with SHA; it is working,” Yegon encouraged.
President Ruto remains optimistic about overcoming skepticism surrounding Taifa Care’s feasibility. “Watu wengine hawakuamini, lakini punde si punde watajua ya kwamba we mean business, na Wakenya wote watapata matibabu vile tuliahidi,” he stated confidently.
Taifa Care aims to end disparities in healthcare access, ensuring that even the most vulnerable populations can receive treatment without financial strain. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of fostering equity and social protection.
By eliminating the culture of medical fundraisers and making healthcare affordable, Taifa Care promises to be a game-changer in Kenya’s health sector, as President Ruto’s administration works toward a healthier and more prosperous nation.
