Ruto: Bodaboda, mama mboga among 50,000 Kenyans registering daily for SHA

President William Ruto/ STATEHOUSE SCREENGRAB

President William Ruto has announced that more than 45,000 Kenyans are registering daily with the Social Health Authority, describing the trend as a major stride towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Speaking at the State House on Thursday during the swearing-in of two new Cabinet Secretaries and 14 Principal Secretaries, Ruto commended the growing public awareness and readiness to embrace the new health system.

He noted that the high rate of registration reflects the country’s shared commitment to building an accessible, inclusive, and affordable healthcare system.

“The last time we had the highest registration in health insurance was about 7,8 million. That was the highest ever. Under this program, we now have 21 million Kenyans,” Ruto stated.

“And you know what, on my dashboard here, every day between 45 and 50,000 Kenyans register voluntarily because many Kenyans have begun to experience that it is working.”

The President said the implementation of the health insurance scheme has had a significant impact on the informal sector, reinforcing the foundation for equitable access to healthcare.

“The 50,000 Kenyans who are registering every day are the people who are out there. The bodaboda and mama mboga guys and all the other people have realised that this program carries everybody on board,” he said.

The President affirmed the broad-based government was well-positioned to deliver on their promise of Universal Health Coverage.

He emphasised the unity and coordinated effort, expressing confidence that the administration’s inclusive approach would ensure no Kenyan would be left behind.

“This broad-based government is the one that is going to deliver on Universal Health Coverage, and I am very proud of the progress that we are making,” he said.

The Social Health Authority replaced the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Its implementation has been marred by a series of setbacks, but the government insists that it is best designed for universal health coverage for the people of Kenya.