Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has assured Kenyans that the government is committed to expanding healthcare coverage under the Social Health Authority (SHA) to protect the most vulnerable citizens.
Speaking in Tharaka Nithi county on Friday, Kindiki hailed the decision to pay monthly contributions for over 1.5 million needy Kenyans as a historic milestone.
He described it as the clearest demonstration yet of the administration’s resolve to shield citizens from preventable and curable diseases.
“The launch today by President William Ruto of the programme in which the Government will start paying premiums for the health insurance of 1.5 million indigent Kenyans is historic and momentous to say the least,” Kindiki said.
The Deputy President made the remarks when he hosted more than 6,500 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) from Meru county at Irunduni, Tharaka Nithi.
He noted that the move aligns with the constitution, which obligates the State to ensure every Kenyan enjoys the highest attainable standard of health regardless of economic status.
He pointed out that ongoing health reforms have already benefited millions, citing the registration of over 26.4 million Kenyans under SHA.
The government, he said, is targeting 30 million enrollments by December this year, 45 million by 2026, and 55 million by 2027.
“The Community Health Promoters are the engine of Taifa Care’s success. They are mobilizing enrollment and carrying out home-to-home visits to promote healthy lifestyles across the nation,” he said.
The Deputy President emphasized the government’s continued support for CHPs, noting they play a crucial role in early disease detection, prevention, and linking communities to healthcare facilities.
He also highlighted efforts to modernise hospitals at levels 3, 4, and 5 to ensure that referrals made by CHPs translate into proper treatment.
Kindiki further said the government is improving the supply of medicines and diagnostic equipment nationwide, while digitising medical records to curb fraud and safeguard public resources.
“We are digitising medical data to make it impossible for fraud and if you attempt fraud it will be detected at the source and rejected,” he warned.
The Deputy President lauded CHPs as a vital link in the transformation of the country’s healthcare system.
“When history is written, the story of the Community Health Promoters of Kenya will have a place in the history of the transformation of our health system,” he remarked.
