President Ruto unveils free medicare plan for 2.2m Kenyans

President William Ruto, flanked by health officials, launches the Social Health Authority (SHA) Sponsorship for the vulnerable at State House, Nairobi, September 19, 2025. /PCS

President William Ruto has announced that 3.9 million vulnerable Kenyans will benefit from free healthcare under the Taifa Care programme, beginning with an initial cohort of 2.2 million.

The President announced on Friday when he launched the Social Health Authority (SHA) Sponsorship for the vulnerable, a scheme aimed at advancing the realisation of Universal Health Coverage for all Kenyans.

He issued the SHA with a cheque of Sh4.419 billion to support the rollout of the programme.

“Today, we are making a bold statement as a nation. We don’t want health to be a preserve of only the rich; we want health to be a right for every Kenyan,” Ruto said.

The initiative will fully fund healthcare for beneficiaries, covering primary health services, as well as specialised and referral treatment, through the Social Health Authority.

Those enrolled will have access to more than 9,000 public, private and faith-based hospitals under the SHA-controlled Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

Provision of free medical cover was among Ruto’s pre-campaign pledges.

“We made an irrevocable commitment to deliver Universal Health Coverage for all Kenyans, regardless of their economic status. Today, we have taken another significant step in fulfilling that pledge,” he said during the launch at State House, Nairobi.

An additional 1.7 million Kenyans will be enlisted under the programme to reach the 3.9 million target.

“We will continue identifying and bringing more of our most vulnerable citizens into this fold, ensuring they benefit from a healthcare system that is robust, responsive, and truly equitable,” Ruto added.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the ministry will work hand in hand with county governments to ensure the transformative programme reaches every deserving household.

“We have transitioned from a fragmented and costly system to a more collaborative, people-centred health sector. Under primary healthcare, any Kenyan can walk into a facility, receive outpatient treatment, get medication and go home without paying anything,” he said.

SHA chief executive officer Dr Mercy Mwangangi explained that primary care will include services such as consultations, blood pressure checks, weighing, sugar level tests and malaria tests.

She added that secondary care will cover hospital admissions for diabetes management, cancer treatment, dialysis and other related treatments.

“These services will be accessible across dispensaries, health centres, level four and five hospitals, as well as major hospitals,” she said.