The government has transitioned from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF)-based Linda Mama to the Social Health Authority (SHA) Linda Jamii to provide maternal care.

In a statement on Saturday, June 21, 2025, the Ministry of Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale stated that the transition will enable the advancement of the country’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.

He stated that the Linda Jamii package provides comprehensive care throughout the maternal journey, including antenatal care and postnatal care.

“Unlike the former NHIF scheme, which only supported the mother and newborn at delivery, the enhanced Linda Jamii now provides comprehensive care throughout the maternal journey and beyond, covering antenatal care (ANC), delivery (including both normal and Caesarean section births), postnatal care (PNC) and essential newborn services,” he stated.

Furthermore, he revealed that the package includes critical interventions, and mothers can also register their spouses and children.

“The package now includes additional critical interventions such as Anti-D serum treatment, a lifesaving measure for Rhesus-negative mothers to prevent complications in future pregnancies,” he stated.

“Under the new package, a mother can also register her spouse and children with the Linda Jamii, far surpassing the limited individual coverage previously offered by NHIF,” he added.

In the new package, normal delivery attracts a fee of Ksh10,000, while Caesarean Section (C-Section) delivery incurs a fee of Ksh30,000.

“The government has also substantially raised the reimbursement rates for maternal services; normal delivery now attracts Ksh10,000, up from the previous Ksh2,500, while Caesarean Section (C-Section) is now covered up to Ksh30,000, up from Ksh5,000,” he added.

Initially launched in June 2013 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, the Linda Mama programme was designed to alleviate the financial burden on pregnant women, offering services based on need rather than the ability to pay. This initiative marked a significant step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Kenya.

Linda Mama

Since 2023, with the proposal to transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHA, many Kenyans have been uncertain about whether the programme would be retained, leading to significant uproar and confusion. 

However, recent developments have clarified these uncertainties, with the government confirming the programme’s continuation under the new structure.

Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni announced a Ksh2 billion allocation to the Linda Mama programme, noting that “The programme is returning bigger and better.”

Speaking in August 2024, PS Muthoni announced that the free maternal healthcare initiative will return under the same name but with improved benefits for expectant mothers.

 “This is going to be a stand-alone programme under SHIF, just like it used to be, to take care of mothers and babies,” Muthoni said.