Kenya’s president Ruto promises to address SHA challenges

President William Ruto expressed optimism on Monday that the challenges Kenyans are facing with accessing healthcare following the October transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the newly rebranded Social Health Authority (SHA), now known as Taifa Care, will soon be resolved.

During the 11th National and County Governments Coordinating Summit at State House in Nairobi, Ruto attributed the initial hurdles to the “scale and ambition” of the new healthcare scheme.

Mr. Ruto emphasized that the transition to Taifa Care marks a significant shift in the country’s healthcare landscape, aiming to provide more comprehensive and inclusive health coverage for all citizens.

The president acknowledged the teething issues associated with the new system but assured that efforts are underway to iron out these challenges and ensure a smoother rollout.

He highlighted that the government remains committed to enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of healthcare services, particularly through the improved management and integration of Taifa Care.

Taifa Care, Ruto said, “is overcoming technological and operational challenges to ensure that every citizen, regardless of status or means, has access to quality, affordable healthcare.”

“For the record, the scale, boldness, and ambition of Taifa Care are unprecedented, and we are confident that the challenges will be resolved soon,” the President added.

The Social Health Authority (SHA) has faced significant criticism for its limited benefits and issues with accessibility since its introduction following the October transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). Many Kenyans have voiced concerns about their inability to access healthcare under the new scheme.

However, President William Ruto and senior government officials, including his Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa, have defended Taifa Care, calling for patience from the public. The new system requires all Kenyans to contribute 2.75 per cent of their income, with a base contribution of Ksh 300 (approximately $2.32 USD).

During his November 21 State of the Nation address, Ruto rebranded SHA to Taifa Care and announced that more than 15 million Kenyans were enrolled in the scheme.

Despite the challenges, Ruto assured that the government is committed to resolving the teething issues and ensuring that Taifa Care becomes a more effective and accessible healthcare system for all Kenyans.