Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has revealed that almost half of the country’s population has registered with the Social Health Authority.
Speaking in Kitui West constituency on Saturday, June 28, 2025, Kindiki stated that 24 million Kenyans have registered with the public health insurance programme since its launch.
“Twenty-four million Kenyans have registered with SHA. Almost half of the Kenyan people have registered. NHIF had 8 million people in just 8 months,” he said.
Kindiki has called upon all Kenyans to register with the authority, regardless of their economic status, to ensure accessibility to healthcare.
“Hapo nyuma NHIF haingekusajili kama hauna kazi ya kuandikwa au payslip. Kwa sababu walikuwa wanasema hawaezi dhibitisha ya kwamba una uwezo wa kulipa malipo ya kila mwezi. Tunasema kila mtu ajiandikishe; kujiandikisha ni bure, wale wa mapato ya chini watalipa shillingi mia tatu tu, wa pesa mingi watie zaidi. Ule hana chochote dserikali itamlipia.”
Loosely interpreted as:
“Initially, one could not register with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) without proof of employment because it could not ascertain that one could pay the monthly contribution without a source of income. We are saying everyone should register. It is free for low-income earners; you will pay Ksh300 only. Those earning more pay more, while those with no income, the government will cover the cost,” he said.
SHA
This announcement follows President William Ruto’s statement that, on average, 50,000 Kenyans register for the Social Health Authority (SHA) healthcare system every day.
Speaking during the Third National Executive Retreat at the KCB Leadership Centre in Kajiado County on Thursday, June 19, 2025, he stated that 23 million Kenyans have registered on the system since its launch.
“As we speak, 23 million Kenyans have registered. And for your information, 50,000 register on SHA every day. We have had a high of 93,000 registered in a day. On weekdays, an average of 50,000; on weekends, it comes down to 30,000,” he stated.
The head of state attributed the increase in registration to the need for Kenyans to access health facilities at all levels for free once they make payments.
“The numbers are counting because Kenyans now know if you register, you have free access to levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 and part of levels 5 and 6 as long as they have made their contribution,” he said.
Furthermore, he revealed that a total of 5.7 million Kenyans are from SHA, with 3.6 million under the Primary Health Fund and 2.1 million under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
