Nearly 24 million Kenyans have signed up for Taifa Care (SHA) barely eight months after its launch, outstripping the 9 million who ever held an NHIF card.
The figure came from Monday’s Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) meeting in Karen. Members credited an aggressive joint drive by national and county teams for the surge.
Taifa Care is the government’s flagship universal health plan. A means test sets monthly contributions, letting a boda boda rider in Nakuru pay less than an accountant in Nairobi, while both get access to primary clinics and specialist care.
“The IBEC noted the remarkable registration of over 23.9 million Kenyans onto Taifa Care … and commended the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors for their coordinated efforts,” the council said.
| Scheme | Registered members |
|---|---|
| NHIF (defunct) | 9 million |
| Taifa Care (June 2025) | 23.9 million |
IBEC also accused some ministries and counties of sitting on staff deductions meant for the new Social Health Insurance Fund. That delay blocks civil servants from getting treatment. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki told the meeting the National Treasury would audit laggards.
Cash flow to counties
Treasury has wired Sh387.6 billion of this year’s equitable share to devolved units, with another Sh30 billion due by Friday. Governors approved a pending-bills action plan aimed at unclogging stalled county projects tied to unpaid suppliers.
