24 million Kenyans now covered under Taifa Care program
Amina Bakari and Kamau Daniel- KNA
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through Taifa Care, a transformative healthcare scheme that has now enrolled 24 million Kenyans.
Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale, speaking at his first official meeting with the Social Health Authority Board, reiterated the government’s commitment to delivering quality, accessible healthcare to every Kenyan, revealing that 5.4 million Kenyans already accessed vital health services through the government-funded Primary Healthcare Fund allowing access to dispensaries, health centers, and Level 2 to 4 health facilities without any cost to patients.
“This fund is budgeted, appropriated by Parliament, and paid to the Ministry of Health to ensure that ordinary Kenyans receive the healthcare they need without paying from their pockets,” Duale assured.
He announced that so far Sh551.3 billion has been disbursed to 7,446 accredited facilities across the country, enabling life-saving services including safe deliveries, chronic disease management, and emergency medical care and emphasized that the success of Taifa Care is built on three key pillars: financial sustainability through consistent premium payments, zero tolerance for fraud, and universal access to quality care.
The CS urged employers and employees to ensure timely remittance of monthly contributions by the 9th of each month, describing it as both a legal obligation and a patriotic duty.
“Our integrated digital system provides real-time monitoring of transactions, enhancing transparency and accountability. We have also intensified the war on fraud by integrating the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council data into the system,” the CS disclosed.
He revealed that due to non-compliance, 728 health facilities have been shut down, 301 downgraded, and 31 facilities in counties including Kisumu, Kiambu, Bungoma, Busia, Kajiado, Kilifi, Mandera, and Wajir suspended and placed under investigation for fraudulent activities.
“We have uncovered cases of double claims, falsifying outpatient cases as inpatient, misuse of pre-authorization codes, and collusion between patients and facility owners. These cases will be handed over to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for appropriate action, including full reimbursement and prosecution,” Duale said.
The CS added that the deployment of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics has helped the Social Health Authority (SHA) scrutinize claims and protect resources meant for genuine patients.
Addressing challenges facing informal sector workers, Duale highlighted the success of the Lipa Pole Pole initiative introduced by President William Ruto, which allows flexible daily, weekly, or monthly contributions via USSD code *147#, seamlessly integrated with M-Pesa free of interest or penalties.
“Every day, between 800 to 1,500 informal sector workers are enrolling. So far, 1.8 million have joined Taifa Care in just eight months, surpassing NHIF’s coverage by over 800,000,” Duale noted.
He praised strategic partnerships with top-tier hospitals such as Aga Khan University Hospital and Nairobi Hospital, now offering specialized services like dialysis, cardiac surgery, and kidney transplants at SHA-approved rates at no extra cost to patients.
“For the first time, these premier hospitals are accessible to ordinary Kenyans, including mama mboga and boda boda operators. This is a true equalizer in healthcare,” he asserted.
To reinforce the healthcare force, Duale announced the deployment of 6,484 healthcare interns to various facilities starting July 1st, 2025, adding that posting letters are currently collected at Afya House.
Responding to concerns over the transition from NHIF to SHA, he assured staff of job security, stating that no worker would be laid off. However, he noted that digitization has slashed administrative costs from 30 percent under NHIF to 5 percent under SHA, enabling a leaner, more efficient system.
Duale also challenged public, private, and faith-based healthcare providers to stop illegal co-charging at primary health facilities and to adopt the SHA tariff to ensure all Kenyans receive the services they are entitled to.
“Primary healthcare is fully funded. Kenyans should walk into facilities and walk out without paying. Any co-payments must be reported immediately via the 24/7 SHA hotline 147 or through the Afya Yangu app,” he demanded.
The CS stressed the government’s dedication to a healthcare system built on sustainability, integrity, and universal access.